"That's fine." Clearly something about this conversation is making Shrike anxious. Dimitri wonders if it is really just about meeting a new person. It seems as though that would be a little much for such a relatively small matter... But he's learned that just because something seems small to him does not mean it is the same for anyone else.

Besides, people carry all sorts of burdens and scars from the lives they have lived, no matter how young they are. Something from his past may be affecting his feelings now.

Well, all Dimitri can offer him is reassurances, and he offers the bottle of water to Shrike. "If you ever do become sure, all you need to is ask me of him. He is quite an interesting man, really. Very calm and patient, even when one is acting wretchedly, as I did when I first met him. He has a child a little younger than you, and is interested in breeding." Dimitri pauses, trying to recall the exact words. "In fact, he has expressed an interest in... the concept of therapy paliens?"

That's how he described it, yes.