[Stephen is entirely quiet as Essek speaks, feeling the care with which each word is spoken and the sense that he is being trusted with something quite precious here. It therefore deserves nothing short of Stephen's full and undivided attention. Though, if he's honest with himself, somehow in a very short space of time Essek already has that from Stephen at the best of times.]

You're asking for some exposure therapy, of a sort.

[There's another slight pause, then--]

That doesn't sound like an alteration of our arrangement to me. I'd be remiss in my duties to you if I denied something that assures your overall wellbeing.

[Essek obviously can't see it, but Stephen frowns at himself for a brief second, than adds--]

But even without the contract involved, of course, Essek. Time and practice--the most valuable tools for virtually anything. We'll work on this together.

Would you like to map out how we should do this, or would you rather leave it to my digression?