[the frankness is a side-effect of the (mostly) open honesty that he and the Diva he remembers often spoke to each other with: decades-old at this point, but something he never let go of.

so her reaction is a little surprising to him, but he's grateful for it at the same time. that cool distance was unnerving, and even if he doesn't like the topic at hand, anything is better than awkwardly wading through stilted conversation.]

I don't believe it's something you have to accept. [a pause, and he folds his hands in his lap quietly.] Even if it's all in the hands of luck or fate or God, I don't think you should be expected to accept something so unreasonable.