[Ben isn't surprised by the question, but he is a bit by the laugh, startling mildly and then his head tilting curiously. There's no judgment in his voice or in his face when he replies, just the intent earnestness that characterizes him behind the military lines.]

You are very concerned with justice, with being understood, and with the safety of those around you. With others not being afraid. There are those who exhibit these concerns naturally, but not to the level you do.

You give them the degree of importance that someone who has experienced the absence of all, personally, generally seems to infer. I should know, only... I don't know what to do about it.

[He should shrug here, he thinks, others would in order to dismiss the importance of his last point at this particular moment; he doesn't, but he does circle back and ask again:]

So. What happened to you? Not that it is necessary to tell me if you would not like to do so.