"We have all struggled," Blue replied, one hand turning over face-up. "My perception of those struggles doesn't make me more or less affected. What I barely glean is something someone else is enduring wholly. That it's compounded does affect me, but..." He smiled wanly. "It's in my nature. I'd rather experience it, than not."

His hand turned over again, settling over the other one in his lap. He paused, thinking.

"Of course, I will be relieved for the lightened burden. The frustrations here were as constant as they were rapidly growing out of hand."