[his expression morphs, then--perhaps towards actual anger]

Kindness! [snapped, now] Stella is capable of being kind! She can be nice, and sweet, and funny, and clever! And those are amazing things about her, considering what she's obviously gone through! [woah he might actually be really angry because the volume of his voice is rising towards a yell] Yes, she can also be dangerous, and yes, she's capable of a lot more than she can do right now. I know that!

[yeah that sure was shouted, and Wu sucks in a breath, his mouth twisted into a scowl and shoulders hunched towards his ears]

And yes, I know that she's also be scared, and sad, and upset! I know that part of that is her mother--that she's just accepted that that's how she and the people of her kingdom need to live. I know she needs to overcome that. I know that's her foe and her battle, but I want to help! Not just with that foe, but with the fear she has of herself. But her mother's the tangible foe ahead, and though that may be her battle, I want to be ready to help her, if she asks it of me!