Phillip didn't want to add more pain onto her, more so when he wanted her to have hope. That she wouldn't be left behind because she wasn't an exotic offworlder like himself. He's studied the past games and he's seen just how easily the Capitol throws away those children not born in favored Districts.

"You're doing really good, don't worry about that, Miss Maglev," he said, that formality tic rearing its head over to her. "Karkat assured me that he would do anything and everything in his power to protect you. I will do the same, from this side of the Arena. T-That's what Mentors do, right?"

Phone Guy's inexperience at Mentoring cracked through his professional image, leaving him vulnerable. From that, there was the turmoil of a man who wanted to be a father but could never be, now sending someone else's child to the slaughter. But he did have one thing: "Right. We stand together as a District, that I can promise. Cable will be watching, and cheering you on. T-Those memories, of the people, they're all going to stand together for you and your districtmate."