[ there is some kind of terrible irony, here, in Makoto preaching about consequences. it's someone else's favorite word, that: consequences, and Abel can't help but find a little curl of mirth to hear it coming from the lips of another Kenoma. he can't refute the accuracy of the statement all the same - Makoto is correct, underlying amusement aside; one reaps what they sow.
but in Abel's mind, it isn't always as simple as that. once upon a time... perhaps it had been. he has grown, learned a great deal since those days; he would like to believe it has permitted him to broaden his perspectives and widen his ability to grasp nuance in situations he might not have, otherwise - but he doesn't believe it makes him any wiser or more astute than the demon seated across the table. if anything it merely means that he has come to accept a view of the world that Makoto's life experiences have not guided him toward.
whether it might, one day, or whether Makoto would be a victim of his circumstances, driven further and further down this hole to that lowest low... Abel cannot say. but he can hope, and yes - even pray for a different conclusion to the demon's tale.
there is something softly miserable in the priest's expression as he studies the liquid in the chilled glass between his hands; it seems he is well aware the potential consequences of Makoto's actions. but that isn't the point of this particular thread Abel has tugged at in asking if the Kenoma felt he worthy of those consequences; while some part of him, perhaps, is grateful to hear Makoto dismiss the prospect of self-loathing, it leaves something equally worrying in its stead. ]
Then, if you'll humor me--
[ it seems the glass and drink they are to share has been all but forgotten; it will surely grow an unpleasant lukewarm at this rate. but Abel cares little; he finds he is singularly interested in something else at this table, after all. ]
...How do you feel now, Mr. M? Do you feel you were... justified, in retrospect? Do you feel Estinien deserved what came to him as he was?
[ Abel's friend laid out the circumstances from his perspective, filled out the details regarding a motivation Abel had not been privy to prior to this meeting. but... when all lies in the rearview mirror--
did any of that give him the satisfaction Makoto had been so after? had it soothed bruised pride? does any part of him feel any regret, remorse, for the method by which the dragoon was undone - weakened and already suffering at the hands of those who had come before him? does any of it truly matter to Makoto at all? how far does this hole inside of him go?
and... was it worth it? would Makoto say it is worth what he's set in inevitable motion?
perhaps Abel is not interested in the answer insomuch as he is looking for something else, something he can find only through observing Makoto's deliberation before delivery of his reply. and it is one he is watching, waiting for, as beads of water slip down the forgotten glass in his hands, the rest of the tavern good as faded away to background static. ]
kissy faces at u disgustingly
but in Abel's mind, it isn't always as simple as that. once upon a time... perhaps it had been. he has grown, learned a great deal since those days; he would like to believe it has permitted him to broaden his perspectives and widen his ability to grasp nuance in situations he might not have, otherwise - but he doesn't believe it makes him any wiser or more astute than the demon seated across the table. if anything it merely means that he has come to accept a view of the world that Makoto's life experiences have not guided him toward.
whether it might, one day, or whether Makoto would be a victim of his circumstances, driven further and further down this hole to that lowest low... Abel cannot say. but he can hope, and yes - even pray for a different conclusion to the demon's tale.
there is something softly miserable in the priest's expression as he studies the liquid in the chilled glass between his hands; it seems he is well aware the potential consequences of Makoto's actions. but that isn't the point of this particular thread Abel has tugged at in asking if the Kenoma felt he worthy of those consequences; while some part of him, perhaps, is grateful to hear Makoto dismiss the prospect of self-loathing, it leaves something equally worrying in its stead. ]
Then, if you'll humor me--
[ it seems the glass and drink they are to share has been all but forgotten; it will surely grow an unpleasant lukewarm at this rate. but Abel cares little; he finds he is singularly interested in something else at this table, after all. ]
...How do you feel now, Mr. M? Do you feel you were... justified, in retrospect? Do you feel Estinien deserved what came to him as he was?
[ Abel's friend laid out the circumstances from his perspective, filled out the details regarding a motivation Abel had not been privy to prior to this meeting. but... when all lies in the rearview mirror--
did any of that give him the satisfaction Makoto had been so after? had it soothed bruised pride? does any part of him feel any regret, remorse, for the method by which the dragoon was undone - weakened and already suffering at the hands of those who had come before him? does any of it truly matter to Makoto at all? how far does this hole inside of him go?
and... was it worth it? would Makoto say it is worth what he's set in inevitable motion?
perhaps Abel is not interested in the answer insomuch as he is looking for something else, something he can find only through observing Makoto's deliberation before delivery of his reply. and it is one he is watching, waiting for, as beads of water slip down the forgotten glass in his hands, the rest of the tavern good as faded away to background static. ]