[ Blade is caught off-guard, so he just tenses; but that doesn't last long. He reaches with his hands to lightly pull them away just a bit, looking at her.

But, her words seem to have had an effect. Even with the sound of their weapons meeting one another's in the distance, and the urge to look. To suffer. To desire that suffering to end.

To feel that pain bloom in his heart, to fuel the monster that lies within him...to let him sink into the madness of the red haze of mara, stoked by painful memories. Painful events. To lose himself. But, he doesn't want to indulge it now. No, he wants...to be at peace. ]

...You're correct that I don't have to. But, it's unnecessary...to shield me so. As long as I don't bring my gaze in that direction, I will be fine.

Let us both wait it out until it ends. Then, maybe attempt to reclaim whatever little peace we have.