( noctis' surprise does more to answer kaladin's question than his actual no. it shows that little care is taken in lucis to safeguard its people from the effects of loss. like on roshar, feelings are left to become septic like a gut wound and rot—but there are more treatments for a punctured intestine than an instability in the brain. )

It doesn't, ( he decides after taking stock of how his mood is now, ) not for me. I'll always wonder if I'm doing the right thing.

All I know is I was in a worse headspace ten minutes ago, Noctis, and that was before coming into your room to talk with you. If I had to make a hard choice now, and I shared my indecision with you knowing you understood how that felt, I think I'd be better equipped to handle whatever came my way.

( that... might be the goal. not to problem solve, but to prepare. if planning defensive formations and attack campaigns are military musts, why can the same ideas not be applied to how thoughts are approached? anxiety is anticipating an uncertain event or outcome; strategizing can help minimize its effects. make ready the nerves to receive the results.

his frown deepens, then smooths out entirely.

noctis' eyes can't meet his yet, and kaladin's task to accomplish before they leave to spar is to encourage them to focus on him. it won't do to become distracted, even by a breakthrough in his own thinking. )

What about you? Why do you think talking might be helpful?