dunemantic | (Reply)

From:

[ Caleb speaks, and the words that reach Essek like his own feelings, hidden and quiet in his chest, spoken back to him. It's surreal, how similar they are as people, in spite of everything. In spite of the empire, and the dynasty, in spite of their nurture and their nature alike. His expression softens as Caleb speaks, opens up past his nerves and his tension into pure empathy. Empathy, and melancholy.

How can he be anything but melancholy, when he has such goodness in front of him that he will only disappoint? ]

Thank you.

[ He says thank you a lot in his job, with his status. It's polite, but he never means it as deeply as he means it now. He glances down at Caleb's hand, but still doesn't take it. No, he has to speak first. ]

I feel very much the same, and because of that...I didn't expect to care for you as much as I do, so it gives me pause. I have done things that I'm not proud of--and many that I am that perhaps I shouldn't be. You...a former scourger, I don't doubt you're in the same position.

[ His hands remain still on his lap. Clenched. He doesn't move, because it isn't in his nature to emote with his body. It's not in his nature to emote at all. He learned to bottle it all up a long time ago. ]

We have in front of us a unique situation. We are trapped for a seemingly indefinite time, with our responsibilities on hold. I very much want to be able to explore these possibilities. I think perhaps that I need to. I could allow you to know me as I am, here and now, but there will always be secrets and concerns that can only be addressed when we are returned to our own conflicts. I don't need to know what you've done or who you've been. I hope you don't need to know the same from me.