[He feels her considering tightening her grip and wonders, idly, if it will hurt; it's idle curiosity, no blame, no accusation. Just a possibility that he will accept. She doesn't, in the end, but that doesn't mean she won't.
Her answer, in fact, grounds him in understanding. He knows what it is to be a tool, both willingly and unwillingly; he knows about the hugeness of the world and wanting only to be told what to do in it, by someone who knows more, who knows better. To carve a place for himself with obedience.
She is not a soldier, so the details are different, but the shape of it is enough. He nods at once.]
[ Spam ]
Her answer, in fact, grounds him in understanding. He knows what it is to be a tool, both willingly and unwillingly; he knows about the hugeness of the world and wanting only to be told what to do in it, by someone who knows more, who knows better. To carve a place for himself with obedience.
She is not a soldier, so the details are different, but the shape of it is enough. He nods at once.]
Was. We outgrew it.