[ Emet-Selch might notice the way Gen's shoulders slowly slump as he listens to that answer. Not out of dejection, but out of a strange sense of relief, some of that discomfort and caution making way for a weary acceptance.
Because he gets it. He really does. His voice is hoarse but a touch more even when he answers quietly, ]
So it's just something that has to be done.
[ Not that that lessens the sickly feeling that lingers in his stomach when he thinks of the word torture. Something that he'd never expected to have to visualize in such concrete terms in his life, and something that he doesn't want to dwell on. But the framing that Emet-Selch offers him, at least, helps dull the ache to something more familiar. The same way that he'd been willing to dirty his hands back home because it was what was necessary to protect his loved ones.
And while he can't claim to fully be able to understand why the capture of Abel is necessary to hasten the end of this conflict ... Emet-Selch probably knows better. He has to hope that's the case.
Gen looks back down as he sits back on the bench, fingers curled into the fabric of his slacks as if looking for something to hold onto. Something to help him stay grounded. ]
... if you really think this is the only way, then -- ...
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Because he gets it. He really does. His voice is hoarse but a touch more even when he answers quietly, ]
So it's just something that has to be done.
[ Not that that lessens the sickly feeling that lingers in his stomach when he thinks of the word torture. Something that he'd never expected to have to visualize in such concrete terms in his life, and something that he doesn't want to dwell on. But the framing that Emet-Selch offers him, at least, helps dull the ache to something more familiar. The same way that he'd been willing to dirty his hands back home because it was what was necessary to protect his loved ones.
And while he can't claim to fully be able to understand why the capture of Abel is necessary to hasten the end of this conflict ... Emet-Selch probably knows better. He has to hope that's the case.
Gen looks back down as he sits back on the bench, fingers curled into the fabric of his slacks as if looking for something to hold onto. Something to help him stay grounded. ]
... if you really think this is the only way, then -- ...
[ Then he'll accept it. He has to, right? ]