[ Still watching you, and totally catching that.

Head bowing now as his hand falls away.

Sorry, Stan. He'll have your back though. ]

It was Stanley. [ He shifts a little away -- doesn't mean to. But he does. ] I was having something of an... epiphany.

And he kind of just... slipped.

[ Turning his attention to Mitsuru now and picking the kitten up and setting the tiny creature on his lap. ]

He said... you were already shelving your feelings.

[ A pause as he worries a little on his lower lip.

Might as well go for broke, right?

Looming away now before he adds, in a really soft voice: ] Hearing that... hurt.