[Tension subtly grips him. His gut instinct is to argue he doesn't need pity, especially from adults.

But that's hardly conducive to polite conversation, and this is a learning opportunity.

Thus, he releases that tension in a sigh.]

The worst of it was my own damn fault. The rest... well, society can be a cruel, cutthroat place, especially if you fall outside of the 'acceptable' norm.