[His old, rust-colored eyes watch her face, studying it. The silence doesn't make him feel awkward; he allows it to continue until she doesn't.]

It does. If that is what the darkest parts of themselves are like.

[Though in other cases, like Cedrik perhaps, it bubbles up a little differently. Still just as snide which is unfortunate.]

But many people battle with their own voices already. It doesn't have to be the one the chaos of this place has planted inside of us.