Gen is, despite his many (many) flaws, more observant than he probably seems at first glance. But even if he weren't, Eustace's usual stoic demeanor would make his current exhaustion all the more glaring -- his words drag at the edges with a touch of lassitude, each one dull in comparison to the usual crisp cadence of his voice, and even his gait seems lacking in his characteristic precision. Like there's something invisible weighing down on him.
There's a moment of silence only interrupted by the scuff of their boots on the pavement and the distant murmur of the Achamoth crowd. Maybe Eustace can feel the prickle of Gen's gaze fixed on his back, and if he glances over he might notice Gen's stare lingering on him for a moment too long before sliding away. There's no hostility in his eyes, but a certain level of caution and scrutiny, like he's trying to gauge the situation before he dares to say anything more. It still takes him another second or two afterward to find words. ]
Guess being a soldier doesn't make this shit any less stressful.
[ His wording is blunt, but his tone of voice is softer than he usually employs. There's no judgement or derision in his words, only a statement -- and indirect comment to indicate he can tell how tired Eustace is, and an acknowledgement of the toll it must have taken him to reach that point. Turns out Gen isn't capable of a few crumbs of tact now and again, it's just that he reserves them solely for the few opportunities where they feel warranted coming from him -- and Eustace having saved his life lets him join that very exclusive club.
There's the rustle of fabric as he distractedly rubs at his shoulder; the pain in (the remains of) his left arm tends to ebb and flow, and it's prickling a bit now, maybe because of what he's steeling himself to ask next. ]
... d'you think we could've avoided this -- [ mess? disaster? brutal hostage situation? ] ... this trouble if I managed to kill Estinien back then? Me or M.
no subject
Gen is, despite his many (many) flaws, more observant than he probably seems at first glance. But even if he weren't, Eustace's usual stoic demeanor would make his current exhaustion all the more glaring -- his words drag at the edges with a touch of lassitude, each one dull in comparison to the usual crisp cadence of his voice, and even his gait seems lacking in his characteristic precision. Like there's something invisible weighing down on him.
There's a moment of silence only interrupted by the scuff of their boots on the pavement and the distant murmur of the Achamoth crowd. Maybe Eustace can feel the prickle of Gen's gaze fixed on his back, and if he glances over he might notice Gen's stare lingering on him for a moment too long before sliding away. There's no hostility in his eyes, but a certain level of caution and scrutiny, like he's trying to gauge the situation before he dares to say anything more. It still takes him another second or two afterward to find words. ]
Guess being a soldier doesn't make this shit any less stressful.
[ His wording is blunt, but his tone of voice is softer than he usually employs. There's no judgement or derision in his words, only a statement -- and indirect comment to indicate he can tell how tired Eustace is, and an acknowledgement of the toll it must have taken him to reach that point. Turns out Gen isn't capable of a few crumbs of tact now and again, it's just that he reserves them solely for the few opportunities where they feel warranted coming from him -- and Eustace having saved his life lets him join that very exclusive club.
There's the rustle of fabric as he distractedly rubs at his shoulder; the pain in (the remains of) his left arm tends to ebb and flow, and it's prickling a bit now, maybe because of what he's steeling himself to ask next. ]
... d'you think we could've avoided this -- [ mess? disaster? brutal hostage situation? ] ... this trouble if I managed to kill Estinien back then? Me or M.