[He stares for a longer moment at her, before shrugging stiffly. The Ascian still wasn't sure if she really understood why he was offended, but- still. An attempt was made and he can recognize that.
It wasn't fine, because nothing was fine. That was nothing new. He sighs.]
Well. If you accept that you would likewise be unable to forgive were our situations reversed, perhaps things aren't as hopeless as I thought. But when it comes to affection I fear that's where we differ... as you've surely noticed, I would scorn such attempts.
[Even as it hadn't come as any surprise, not really- and even though he hadn't exactly done anything to discourage her feelings prior to this breaking point. He'd become more aware of that destructive habit of his, though: refusing to manage, to discuss, to consider anything painful until some catalyst forced it all into the open at once. But not to work out, but only to hurt; and from there, not to heal cleanly, but to fester. While some things needed broken in order to be fixed, this was just tearing everything apart because that was all he knew how to do.
Emet-Selch doesn't know how to change that. He doesn't know if he wants to or if he even can, but he's more conscious of it, at least.]
--As genuine as I acknowledge your feelings are, and even perhaps that you mean no ill by it, nor offense- I yet resent all of you too far to accept them.
[The most roundabout way of saying 'it's not you, it's me', possibly. But he pauses then, as though reluctant- or possibly unsure. But in the end he continues.]
In return for the fullness of your words, I feel I should clarify a statement left deliberately incomplete.
[As Ascians are so wont to do.]
I still consider you to be Hydaelyn's weapon. [Though bluntly stated, it's not in an attempt to needle her, as he immediately adds:] But I'm not saying that's all you ever must be, or will be. Perhaps you still have the capacity to be something other than a tool. That's all.
no subject
It wasn't fine, because nothing was fine. That was nothing new. He sighs.]
Well. If you accept that you would likewise be unable to forgive were our situations reversed, perhaps things aren't as hopeless as I thought. But when it comes to affection I fear that's where we differ... as you've surely noticed, I would scorn such attempts.
[Even as it hadn't come as any surprise, not really- and even though he hadn't exactly done anything to discourage her feelings prior to this breaking point. He'd become more aware of that destructive habit of his, though: refusing to manage, to discuss, to consider anything painful until some catalyst forced it all into the open at once. But not to work out, but only to hurt; and from there, not to heal cleanly, but to fester. While some things needed broken in order to be fixed, this was just tearing everything apart because that was all he knew how to do.
Emet-Selch doesn't know how to change that. He doesn't know if he wants to or if he even can, but he's more conscious of it, at least.]
--As genuine as I acknowledge your feelings are, and even perhaps that you mean no ill by it, nor offense- I yet resent all of you too far to accept them.
[The most roundabout way of saying 'it's not you, it's me', possibly. But he pauses then, as though reluctant- or possibly unsure. But in the end he continues.]
In return for the fullness of your words, I feel I should clarify a statement left deliberately incomplete.
[As Ascians are so wont to do.]
I still consider you to be Hydaelyn's weapon. [Though bluntly stated, it's not in an attempt to needle her, as he immediately adds:] But I'm not saying that's all you ever must be, or will be. Perhaps you still have the capacity to be something other than a tool. That's all.