[ Good thing Elliot isn't a mindreader, or things would get weird in record-breaking fashion. He shrugs — dim and innocuous, lacking and real edge, because it's only in situations likes these where his true weakness shines.

A proclivity for insults without real basis — a temper he can't even outlive, and it's exasperating with Kaoru stock-still and paling in the windless air. Belligerence its own knife. He curbs his anger around his mouth, forces control into his hands to outstretch one hand, palm Kaoru's shoulder in a wholly clumsy movement. ] We can look for her. Do you know of her last whereabouts? Was a search party organized?

[ His voices lacks that virulent temper, but somehow, it doesn't really seem to matter. ]

That doesn't make your own any less inconsequential. Don't go so far as to devalue your needs as less significant than those of anyone else.