Every time, he allows himself a flicker of hope, and every time the cruel hand of fate closes on it and reduces it to ash. Vanitas is of no help whatsoever.

Yeah, that's what you said. So it has to be something else.

This is hilarious.

Poor guy. Look at him, he's utterly defeated. So cruel of you, Ben.

He's having way too much fun with this, and while he doesn't have an expression, his amused tone is the same as not keeping a straight face.