[ Dimitri smiles weakly as he opens his eyes, looking at the odd arrangement of items on Yuri’s desk without really seeing them. ]

No, we really are not built for that. Our home ensures we are prepared to do what it takes to survive…

[ His eyebrows knit as he considers how to phrase this. How to put voice to the feeling he got witnessing those near the bottom of Aphaia; unable to entertain. ]

But, I can’t help but wonder… Is that not because those who would give up get weeded out? They too don’t survive. The ones you find laid out under snow after a bad storm; frozen to death. Or the farmers who would rather take themselves out than face another blighted crop… What about them? Do they not deserve to live as well?

[ As king to be Dimitri must consider all of his countrymen; how he can make all their lives better. Watching those languishing in Aphaia really drove it home for him.

He glances at Yuri then away again. ]

Apologies, I’m not really good company right now.

[ Right now? Realistically probably ever. ]