( makoto shrugs, the gesture jarringly casual given the severe timbre of their conversation. ) It was during the time when the newcomers were arriving to the Shrines. Still, for obvious reasons I can't say it endeared me to the man.
( it was an understatement, but it was at least an understatement delivered glibly. it hadn't been his first meeting with the dragoon after all — he had paid him a visit in the Throne Room, ostensibly to attempt to convert him to the Kenoma just as he recently had been, but really he had ended up more like an errant schoolchild poking and prodding at a caged zoo animal to see what sort of reactions he might get. so it's not as though estinien diving first and asking questions later at the shrine of the sovereign was completely unfounded (especially given who he was talking to), but it was just enough so that makoto felt more than justified in feeling like he had an axe to grind. but at this point that axe had been successfully ground, so...? the opinion is certainly not shared, but for the time being his blood has cooled on the matter.
he doesn't expect it to exonerate him. really, if it did, he would question ryu's faculties. estinien was a friend and ally of his, and regardless of his past actions, he should hold it against makoto that he had been so cruel and callous (even if the murder hadn't exactly "stuck"). but it was worthwhile context, and he felt like it needed to be said, less so to paint him as sympathetic and more to at least reinforce that he's not unreasonable.
he arches one eyebrow as ryu continues. )
Really...? ( that whole scenario had been a furious blur to makoto; if he remembers that ryu was there (which he probably doesn't), he doesn't remember much about him because he hadn't been like himeka, bearing down with murderous intent. ) That's very level-headed of you. I wish more of your allies shared such sentiments, but, ( and here he chuckles and smiles brightly, as if they were comparing and contrasting past schoolyard hijinks instead of what they spoke about now, ) honestly, it would probably be worse off for your cause if they did.
( he wastes little time before continuing. )
I'm not trying to paint myself as blameless in your eyes, Naruhodo-san. Go on and hate me, if that makes it easier for you. ( he waves his hand, a dismissive gesture. ) I just don't want you to mistake me for someone who acts without reason.
no subject
( it was an understatement, but it was at least an understatement delivered glibly. it hadn't been his first meeting with the dragoon after all — he had paid him a visit in the Throne Room, ostensibly to attempt to convert him to the Kenoma just as he recently had been, but really he had ended up more like an errant schoolchild poking and prodding at a caged zoo animal to see what sort of reactions he might get. so it's not as though estinien diving first and asking questions later at the shrine of the sovereign was completely unfounded (especially given who he was talking to), but it was just enough so that makoto felt more than justified in feeling like he had an axe to grind. but at this point that axe had been successfully ground, so...? the opinion is certainly not shared, but for the time being his blood has cooled on the matter.
he doesn't expect it to exonerate him. really, if it did, he would question ryu's faculties. estinien was a friend and ally of his, and regardless of his past actions, he should hold it against makoto that he had been so cruel and callous (even if the murder hadn't exactly "stuck"). but it was worthwhile context, and he felt like it needed to be said, less so to paint him as sympathetic and more to at least reinforce that he's not unreasonable.
he arches one eyebrow as ryu continues. )
Really...? ( that whole scenario had been a furious blur to makoto; if he remembers that ryu was there (which he probably doesn't), he doesn't remember much about him because he hadn't been like himeka, bearing down with murderous intent. ) That's very level-headed of you. I wish more of your allies shared such sentiments, but, ( and here he chuckles and smiles brightly, as if they were comparing and contrasting past schoolyard hijinks instead of what they spoke about now, ) honestly, it would probably be worse off for your cause if they did.
( he wastes little time before continuing. )
I'm not trying to paint myself as blameless in your eyes, Naruhodo-san. Go on and hate me, if that makes it easier for you. ( he waves his hand, a dismissive gesture. ) I just don't want you to mistake me for someone who acts without reason.