[Work that he had willingly put into raising an Empire up from nothing, yes, but work all the same - and even the distinctly grouchy tone of his voice says more than he would care to admit. That he cares, more than he wishes to, and hurts, more than he is comfortable with, over their fates no matter if they should be little more than recreations of people who had once lived. But neither can he bring himself to say as much either, instead covering over the emotions with grouchy irritation.
(He's fooling no one, least of all himself, but old habits are hard to break, especially when there has been hardly anyone who had been able to call him on such things, while he and his fellow Unsundered had worked towards furthering their goal.)
He does not turn to look at Hythlodaeus either, despite the gentle brush of his fingers. He doesn't turn away from that gentle affection, but rather than speak further he falls silent. Lets himself take what comfort he can from Hythlodaeus' presence as he does his best to ignore the emotional wound Hythlodaeus has brushed against. The wound that is still too raw for him to want to look at it for any length of time. And while Hythlodaeus is not wrong that eventually he will see to setting it to rights... that time is not now. Not yet.]
I do not. You of all people have the right to see matters... returned to how they ought to be.
no subject
[Work that he had willingly put into raising an Empire up from nothing, yes, but work all the same - and even the distinctly grouchy tone of his voice says more than he would care to admit. That he cares, more than he wishes to, and hurts, more than he is comfortable with, over their fates no matter if they should be little more than recreations of people who had once lived. But neither can he bring himself to say as much either, instead covering over the emotions with grouchy irritation.
(He's fooling no one, least of all himself, but old habits are hard to break, especially when there has been hardly anyone who had been able to call him on such things, while he and his fellow Unsundered had worked towards furthering their goal.)
He does not turn to look at Hythlodaeus either, despite the gentle brush of his fingers. He doesn't turn away from that gentle affection, but rather than speak further he falls silent. Lets himself take what comfort he can from Hythlodaeus' presence as he does his best to ignore the emotional wound Hythlodaeus has brushed against. The wound that is still too raw for him to want to look at it for any length of time. And while Hythlodaeus is not wrong that eventually he will see to setting it to rights... that time is not now. Not yet.]
I do not. You of all people have the right to see matters... returned to how they ought to be.