He looked surprised, despite how unsurprising the question ought to be. Most weren't so ready to cut to the chase...most didn't know what to cut to at all. You're different. You look different. Different. Yes...Different.

"I'm still him, yes," he said, nodding once slightly. "But I'm different, too."

His hands, settled in his lap, folded and unfolded and folded again. One breath more, and he spoke up again.

"I'm not afraid anymore. Not like that."