"Soldat and several other people," he says. Thankfully mood-waves can't blush, but they can turn turquoise and full of little riffles.

"It turned out all right. I just went with it, even though I felt like I was bracing for disaster every second," he admits, though with a smile. Yes, all right, sometimes he can own up to being more paranoid than necessary, especially here after so long with people who have repeatedly proven themselves to be good and understanding. Also, it helps that he can mute himself at a moment's notice.