Of course. I may not be as well-acquainted with the Scions as you, but it does not take very much to see that they are quite resourceful and efficient. [ He is certain they have their shortcomings, as do all, including himself. Now, it seems as though he can focus on nothing else but his shortcomings, because from his perspective, they have caused nothing but trouble.
He is considerably lost in his own thoughts, as she has already guessed, but he is not so far gone into the abyss of his mind that he fails to notice the way her ears twitch. He can only guess that it must be because of the cold that she is standing in, because of him. ]
Once again, I must apologize. Here I am being so caught up in the gravity of my own errors that I am also causing you to have to tolerate this cold. [ He still maintains that he is accustomed to it, but she is not from Ishgard, and so for her, it must be absolutely bone-chilling. ]
I could not ask you to do that. [ Never mind that he has not asked for anything, but still: the fact remains that she must be exhausted after her exertions healing Vidofnir. Of the two of them, it seems more likely that rest will find her, if he might be as bold as to surmise that.
Perhaps it is a mark of how confounded he feels by everything that has transpired, but his customary brand of eloquence is seemingly fleeing from him the longer this conversation goes on.
Or perhaps it is that he is not accustomed to someone being so staunchly determined to offer aid, even though he is also determined to gently rebuff it.
When she steps in closer to him, he feels compelled to look down to meet that piercing gaze. It would be far too easy for him to look away, and so he does not take that route. If anything, he finds himself unconsciously stooping over just a little so as to make the distance between them not so great. ]
I have no doubts that you and others sympathize with the current situation. But this situation is because of my actions and my decisions, and I must be the one who sets it right again. Time is not on our side here, not with Nidhogg's threat looming as it is.
[ He must have some semblance of a plan before he can allow himself to close his eyes for the night. Is that not the responsibility of a leader in times of war? And if sleep eludes him, then surely he should use the time that would be spent resting for other pursuits. ]
You are already in that group of people. Your actions and the support you have given us thus far have made that quite clear. It is not a matter of not wishing to share what weighs on my mind with you, even though I am reluctant to saddle anyone with such things. [ Anyone save himself, that is.
And then, in response to her words, he gives her a small smile, the most he can manage in this moment. ] Ah, but you are a daughter of Ishgard and an honorary citizen; perhaps not a daughter by blood but by virtue of everything you have done for us.
[ But even as he speaks those words with firm resolve, a wave of what can only be called sheer exhaustion sweeps unbidden over him, and despite his wishes, his shoulders drop from their rigid posture and for a moment, he bows his head.
When he finally raises his head once more, he puts forth the question: ]
How would you help?
[ He hopes that she understands he is asking for her advice, and not implying that there is nothing she can do. ]
I am certain that you will say rest first, but what comes after? [ That is one thing among many that has so thoroughly tied him up in knots. The steps he has taken thus far have only caused more difficulty, and he cannot afford to have this cycle continue. ]
no letting him off the hook either, not that he expected anything different
He is considerably lost in his own thoughts, as she has already guessed, but he is not so far gone into the abyss of his mind that he fails to notice the way her ears twitch. He can only guess that it must be because of the cold that she is standing in, because of him. ]
Once again, I must apologize. Here I am being so caught up in the gravity of my own errors that I am also causing you to have to tolerate this cold. [ He still maintains that he is accustomed to it, but she is not from Ishgard, and so for her, it must be absolutely bone-chilling. ]
I could not ask you to do that. [ Never mind that he has not asked for anything, but still: the fact remains that she must be exhausted after her exertions healing Vidofnir. Of the two of them, it seems more likely that rest will find her, if he might be as bold as to surmise that.
Perhaps it is a mark of how confounded he feels by everything that has transpired, but his customary brand of eloquence is seemingly fleeing from him the longer this conversation goes on.
Or perhaps it is that he is not accustomed to someone being so staunchly determined to offer aid, even though he is also determined to gently rebuff it.
When she steps in closer to him, he feels compelled to look down to meet that piercing gaze. It would be far too easy for him to look away, and so he does not take that route. If anything, he finds himself unconsciously stooping over just a little so as to make the distance between them not so great. ]
I have no doubts that you and others sympathize with the current situation. But this situation is because of my actions and my decisions, and I must be the one who sets it right again. Time is not on our side here, not with Nidhogg's threat looming as it is.
[ He must have some semblance of a plan before he can allow himself to close his eyes for the night. Is that not the responsibility of a leader in times of war? And if sleep eludes him, then surely he should use the time that would be spent resting for other pursuits. ]
You are already in that group of people. Your actions and the support you have given us thus far have made that quite clear. It is not a matter of not wishing to share what weighs on my mind with you, even though I am reluctant to saddle anyone with such things. [ Anyone save himself, that is.
And then, in response to her words, he gives her a small smile, the most he can manage in this moment. ] Ah, but you are a daughter of Ishgard and an honorary citizen; perhaps not a daughter by blood but by virtue of everything you have done for us.
[ But even as he speaks those words with firm resolve, a wave of what can only be called sheer exhaustion sweeps unbidden over him, and despite his wishes, his shoulders drop from their rigid posture and for a moment, he bows his head.
When he finally raises his head once more, he puts forth the question: ]
How would you help?
[ He hopes that she understands he is asking for her advice, and not implying that there is nothing she can do. ]
I am certain that you will say rest first, but what comes after? [ That is one thing among many that has so thoroughly tied him up in knots. The steps he has taken thus far have only caused more difficulty, and he cannot afford to have this cycle continue. ]