[ he matches thomas' advance without thinking by stumbling back, nearly tripping over the edge of his cape--

(it would be comical if he wasn't verging on terror)

(but he'll summon some last vestige of courage, in any case) ]

W-well--how am I supposed to know that? I don't know what you've been through! All I know is that you've given up--

[ his jaw snaps shut and he doesn't say another word, focusing his efforts on not meeting the other's gaze. ]