"I never thought --" She stopped, moving, speaking. Furious, helpless tears pricked her eyes again.

She hunched over the simulator, moving away, getting some space; needing to breathe.

It would be too easy to grab Plourr to make it stop aching.

"It hurts. It just really hurts and I can't show any weakness I have to pretend I'm fine and speak droll words and be the angry, sarcastic Peacekeeper."