'Tis proof I've not been distracting enough, it seems. [ Viktor replies in a voice of spun sugar, light and silly sweet, carrying little real concern. Of course Emet-Selch's mind would race whatever he were doing - that part is not so surprising. Viktor watches though, like a cat following the fluttering of bug's wings in sunlight. With his head angled so awkwardly, with eyes half-lidded, he studies every minute change on Hades's expression. Not quite worried, but wondering.

He lacks Aepymetes's clairvoyance, and simpler than that, he lacks ages of insight both his predecessor and Hythlodaeus had. Surely the two of them could tease out the tangles of Emet-Selch's mind before they were even snags. He finds himself a little unprepared to take the reins, but inexperience has never stopped Viktor before - certainly not from trying to tackle something that mattered. His fingertips stop in their spin of idle lines in Emet-Selch's hair so that he can flatten his palm clumsily against Emet-Selch's cheek. Then, Viktor sighs. ]

Stop thinking about tomorrow for a minute. [ He angles his chin down only just, butting his forehead against the side of Emet-Selch's face, and letting the contact linger. ] Stop thinking about what might could be, what was. For a minute. Indulge me once more, here, now, and t-tell me, how are you feeling? What weighs on your mind?