Eddie holds up his hands, a few inches from the table, fingers spread, a mitigating gesture, while Aimery talks. Then, he leans back again, subdued, with a glance off to the side.

Then, he says, "You said we were close, but you must realize that this is how I am. But, now you have your abilities, and I... don't have anything to bring to the table. So." His voice slows down. He's not happy, nor snide, and resisting the urge to save face with one act or the other. It makes him tense up. He wants to lash out with the best verbal sparring he can muster and explain exactly how terrible and unforgivable a thing it is to say that to him. He knows if he's supposed to be better that he has to fake the appropriate response. "It's not reasonable for me to make demands of your time."