Aisilian is suddenly very aware that he has just let a well-trained psychic master terrorist, for all the "alleged"s and "well-intentioned"s that belong in front of that statement, inside his mind.

This was such a bad idea, why did he ever

Cut.

No. Actually, no. For an instant, absolute meditative calm spread across his mind.

... and promptly gives way to more normal thought. He's not that good at locking his mind down. But at least he's out of that particularly damaging loop.

Right, next stage of the step-down: Absolute, thorough blunt honesty, because he really can't afford to be lying to himself! (And subtext is going to go right through anyway, she is literally in his mind.)

Hello, Yvette. My name is Aisilian Rok'suchi, and I am very embarrassed and feeling more than a little vulnerable. I am impressed with your training and general competence, very glad for your ability to think fast, and did I mention very embarrassed by this proximity?

(In this back of his head, his memory of the relevant room unfolds in simulated 3D).