He had seen the fire within you slowly die out. In a group like this, a voice like yours is easily overpowered. With each interruption, it grew dimmer. He could trace the moment when your mind decided to just stop speaking altogether. If no one cared, then why bother at all?

The others around you continued their antics, oblivious.

So he slides to the chair beside you, shifting so that he could face you. Dark eyes squinted slightly, he nods encouragingly.

"Go ahead, cariño. I'm listening."