[ He turns his gaze up to her, amber eyes boring into her in an intense stare.
He's watched, over and over and over again, relationships be ripped apart by forces greater than mortally comprehensible. He's watched otherwise strong and reliable individuals shatter to pieces when they receive word that a partner or child or parent or sibling perished in battle. He's had people lash out at him, yell at him, spew horrible curses at him when civilian family members receive word about a Pact member's death. He's had to bear the torrent of pointed blame in wake of Scarlet's attack on Lion's Arch, even though, logically, it was not the Pact's fault or responsibility.
So as far as he's concerned, it is fragile. People are fragile, and he considers himself no exception. Even if, it seems by her word choice, that what exactly they're describing as "fragile" does not quite line up.
But then again, he has never been privileged enough to experience this sort of bond. Maybe there's something to it that leads them to believe their connection is unshakeable, that one another's presence makes each individual stronger, even if the absence of one could perhaps lead to irreparable damage.
Or perhaps the growing irritation in the pit of his stomach is envy, in light of his recent dreams.
When he finally speaks, his tone is dubious, controlled. But at least he relents, forcibly cooling his own anger. ]
I don't believe you, but I trust you. I will hold you to that, and I will make sure that we--all of us hold one another accountable.
[ There he goes, shouldering responsibility for everyone else, all over again. He doesn't even realize he's doing this. ]
I care for you a great deal, Ori. I think of you as one of my own, and I would hate to see you break.
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He's watched, over and over and over again, relationships be ripped apart by forces greater than mortally comprehensible. He's watched otherwise strong and reliable individuals shatter to pieces when they receive word that a partner or child or parent or sibling perished in battle. He's had people lash out at him, yell at him, spew horrible curses at him when civilian family members receive word about a Pact member's death. He's had to bear the torrent of pointed blame in wake of Scarlet's attack on Lion's Arch, even though, logically, it was not the Pact's fault or responsibility.
So as far as he's concerned, it is fragile. People are fragile, and he considers himself no exception. Even if, it seems by her word choice, that what exactly they're describing as "fragile" does not quite line up.
But then again, he has never been privileged enough to experience this sort of bond. Maybe there's something to it that leads them to believe their connection is unshakeable, that one another's presence makes each individual stronger, even if the absence of one could perhaps lead to irreparable damage.
Or perhaps the growing irritation in the pit of his stomach is envy, in light of his recent dreams.
When he finally speaks, his tone is dubious, controlled. But at least he relents, forcibly cooling his own anger. ]
I don't believe you, but I trust you. I will hold you to that, and I will make sure that we--all of us hold one another accountable.
[ There he goes, shouldering responsibility for everyone else, all over again. He doesn't even realize he's doing this. ]
I care for you a great deal, Ori. I think of you as one of my own, and I would hate to see you break.