"As thou know'st, I am not trained in any such thing," letting his tone turn wry momentarily. He once again sets his hand over hers on his arm, and looks away while he convinces himself to say what he feels he should say.

More quietly, and after a little internal struggle, he says, "A defense mechanism, yes. Resistance, yes. I cannot lecture thee, however, because thou art, in this I think, as I am. If I am very careful, things just... carry on. I need not feel-- whatever is painful. In a little box sounds right."