[He is much more used to her sweeping in like a traveling armada and ordering all the occupants of the room about to their places, it's true. But this seems weirdly natural on her, actually more natural, and it sends up a tiny pang of old bitterness at how much is sacrificed to the Imperial cage. Not just by him but by those around him.

His expression of sympathetic interest doesn't waver.] I can't blame you. I won't lie, I'm doing a bit of that myself. The two of you have always seemed very... [He waves the tongs vaguely.] Indomitable.