[ Matt scrubs the back of his hand across his eyes, blinking back moisture as best he can. It's the least he can do for Alia right now: meet her eyes. Try to follow her down the labyrinth of her thoughts, powerful and sensitive and bright-gleaming beyond the compass of Matt's understanding, to find her where she is. ]

Does everybody? [ he echoes quietly back to her. ] See you as you are? Or did this place go to ... pretty extreme lengths to try and show us a specific version of you.

[ A second attempt at what he tried to express a moment ago. Alicent said they were all pawns on the board, and Matt believes it: No matter how strong they are, what powers they possess, who they are back home, in this house they're all movable game pieces. Incapable of seeing the hands that pilot them, only the mess that results. ]