What do you know!? [Hope shouts in reply, a sudden, impulsive reaction that tears its way out of him before he can even quell it.] Lightning was all I had in this stupid place... and you're telling me to be strong?!

[One fist meets the floor with a loud thud, and fragile knuckles throb in protest, but it's barely felt. Like a curtain slowly being drawn back to allow the sunlight to filter in, so do the words Aerith had uttered moments before — but it's not enough. It's not enough.]

"People come back here"?! Are you insane or something? Just... get out of here! Leave me alone!

[He bows his head, choked sounds twisting from his throat, hands pressed against his eyes.] Just... leave me alone...