[ She's not surprised he doesn't meet her gaze. Carolina's something of a force of personality, nearly always intentionally, though in this instance she hadn't meant to intimidate. ]

[ It's that last line that catches and holds her attention. If she stiffens beneath her armor, it's hard to tell. Dax doesn't seem to notice, but Lela does, and she scoots up against her person until she's nudged away gentle with a steel booted toe. ]

Can't say I've encountered anything like that here. Though some of the nightmares --the spirit kind-- are worse than others. [The worst parts of a mind, though? Oh, she can comprehend that. Her tone shifts, softening hard edges.] How'd you fight back against things like that?