[ A finger traces along a key. He presses it softly. ]

They say that Chopin heard one of his students playing his etude, and he broke down weeping, sobbing - Oh, my homeland. [ Another key played, and then he drops his hand, taking a breath to center and square himself. ] I do wish I felt a little more over what happened to Barrayar. It makes me feel inhuman, just how little it's affecting me.