[He hesitates for a moment, warring between the urge to hang up and not bother Ioder with his failures, and the urge allow the young emperor to comfort him in order to make the younger man feel better. Finally, he manages a nod. It's not for his sake; really it's not. It's all to give his friend a piece of mind.

The small sobs have stopped for the moment, settling into the occasional hiccup instead. The tears continue to flow fairly steadily.]