Hmm -- the more charged the situation is, the better he performs? He managed to be supportive and not stammer during The Talk.
Or having a friend needing support switches on his higher functions.
Yes to both.
This pretty much how my brain works as well. When it comes to trying to be super-careful to say exactly the right thing (i.e. Mar-Bear/bikini situation) - I will absolutely fuck it up. I get flustered, inadvertently make an inappropriate joke, you name it. When I get anxious, it gets ugly, and I will usually say the
wrong thing.
But when my brain switches into crisis mode - i.e. friend in distress, taking control of a chaotic situation, someone needs to be cared for - everything is calm. No stress, no anxiety, I just do exactly what needs to be done. Be totally supportive, listen, give feedback - even if it's something that directly involves me. The switch just flips, it's crazy.
It's weird, man, I dunno why it happens that way - but I feel like Marten's got something similar going on, like you said.