[ Where he'd intended to lighten a burden, it seems he has only caused a graver wound. Breath caught in his throat, Viktor holds Emet-Selch's gaze a second longer before letting his attention fall to his hands, instead. ]
Of course. I have overstepped. 'Twas- 'twas not my intent. I apologize. [ Viktor flattens his palm over the mask, sending it away. Had Aepymetes been as clumsy as he is, now? Would Azem have said the right thing, right away? Perhaps, but Viktor cannot let his present inadequacy silence him. He dithers, lips parted as he attempts to string sturdier words together. ]
What I should have s-said...
[ Viktor scoops a spoonful of sugar into his glass before pouring from the kettle, fingertips settling on the lid so as not to cause any spills. ]
What I should have said is that I- I trust you implicitly. 'Twill be no easy thing, but you will do all you can.
[ Viktor sets the kettle down and dares look up at Hades again, and Viktor does not bother to hide his exhaustion. It leaves him hollow, thinking about it. But hollow does not mean incapable of getting a necessary job done. ]
P-primals did not spare children their tempering, as you know. And until my Alisaie developed her cure for it, we- I had an equal hand in the culling of tempered souls, as a member of the Flames. 'Tis...
[ His gaze falls again. There are no words. ]
I only mean to say that I hope, whatever you decide, you also know that you need never f-face those horrors alone. I will s-stand beside you, Hades, come what may.
no subject
Of course. I have overstepped. 'Twas- 'twas not my intent. I apologize. [ Viktor flattens his palm over the mask, sending it away. Had Aepymetes been as clumsy as he is, now? Would Azem have said the right thing, right away? Perhaps, but Viktor cannot let his present inadequacy silence him. He dithers, lips parted as he attempts to string sturdier words together. ]
What I should have s-said...
[ Viktor scoops a spoonful of sugar into his glass before pouring from the kettle, fingertips settling on the lid so as not to cause any spills. ]
What I should have said is that I- I trust you implicitly. 'Twill be no easy thing, but you will do all you can.
[ Viktor sets the kettle down and dares look up at Hades again, and Viktor does not bother to hide his exhaustion. It leaves him hollow, thinking about it. But hollow does not mean incapable of getting a necessary job done. ]
P-primals did not spare children their tempering, as you know. And until my Alisaie developed her cure for it, we- I had an equal hand in the culling of tempered souls, as a member of the Flames. 'Tis...
[ His gaze falls again. There are no words. ]
I only mean to say that I hope, whatever you decide, you also know that you need never f-face those horrors alone. I will s-stand beside you, Hades, come what may.