But the man's efforts are hardly meant to be cruel, as I'm certain you will agree.

[Hythlodaeus's tone remains light as ever as he descends the stairs, but there is a tiredness to his eyes and a weakness to his smile that betrays the truth of his thoughts as of late--an unceasing and relentless storm of anxious confusion that has yet to abate.]

My apologies. While it was not my intent to eavesdrop, I couldn't help but overhear.