I'd play the Proto pilot as overbearing on simple yes or no questions / tasks. They'd feel weak outside their rides, and only come out of their self induced funk when inside. Hearing ' Are they after me ' whispers, whining ' Why can't I use my suit for this task ', arguing that their Proto is the ' Bestiest there ever is! ' or ' Mines better than your < whatever > and I cans too beat you! '.
My favorite saying is from an Elemental back in the 90's MW2 RPG... it can be used today for Proto pilots, really anyone :
" Why can't YOU let ME do this MY way? In MY suit, using MY abilities to complete MY tasks, that YOU demanded ME to do again? " pouts off...
TT