[ He's getting a better understanding of how she thinks as she explains, but the picture that's being painted is one that surprises him a bit. He knows he's not alone with a more practical and cynical point of view, since Hei was also closely aligned in that respect, but the reasons why felt vastly different. He cants his head as a gesture of curiosity as she explains, but the gesture isn't judgmental. It's genuinely prompting her to continue. ]
So indeed. I imagine the vast majority are fighting because they believe in COST's cause. It is a compelling one, and they do recruit in a way that is difficult to not be invested in, much less to refuse.
[ He says neutrally, but in a way that implies an answer to her later question. He's explaining an answer because he can sense the practicality, something hardened beyond what he considers a human's natural way of processing the world, but not quite from recognizing that quality and purposefully dulling it. That she's confused or surprised by the way people act seems to imply something more ingrained. And that, quite simply, interests him. He wonders how different of a place she's from, but he's not curious enough to ask and push the subject. Learning about it naturally by reading between the lines of her explanations is much more fun.
Sebastian considers how to answer her question briefly, since there are many ways he could dance around it, but considering the way the conversation is going, he doesn't see the harm in a bit of honesty. ]
Your two questions are connected. Both are equal aspects of human nature. If one person strives for peace, another will do anything in their power to stop it. [ It's not clear which side he's referring to, but that may just be the point. ] They are not even two sides of the same coin, but the same face viewed at a different angle. The outcome would not particularly matter to me if not for COST's claim that it will hinder my current responsibilities, which is why I chose to fight for their cause. But if the Regency had asked the same, then I would have been pledged to their service instead.
[He shrugs lightly ]
Now, that said, you needn't worry about my loyalties, should you be. COST has asked for my service, and so my service they will have. It goes against my aesthetics to not provide just that, though I may not be personally invested in their cause.
no subject
So indeed. I imagine the vast majority are fighting because they believe in COST's cause. It is a compelling one, and they do recruit in a way that is difficult to not be invested in, much less to refuse.
[ He says neutrally, but in a way that implies an answer to her later question. He's explaining an answer because he can sense the practicality, something hardened beyond what he considers a human's natural way of processing the world, but not quite from recognizing that quality and purposefully dulling it. That she's confused or surprised by the way people act seems to imply something more ingrained. And that, quite simply, interests him. He wonders how different of a place she's from, but he's not curious enough to ask and push the subject. Learning about it naturally by reading between the lines of her explanations is much more fun.
Sebastian considers how to answer her question briefly, since there are many ways he could dance around it, but considering the way the conversation is going, he doesn't see the harm in a bit of honesty. ]
Your two questions are connected. Both are equal aspects of human nature. If one person strives for peace, another will do anything in their power to stop it. [ It's not clear which side he's referring to, but that may just be the point. ] They are not even two sides of the same coin, but the same face viewed at a different angle. The outcome would not particularly matter to me if not for COST's claim that it will hinder my current responsibilities, which is why I chose to fight for their cause. But if the Regency had asked the same, then I would have been pledged to their service instead.
[He shrugs lightly ]
Now, that said, you needn't worry about my loyalties, should you be. COST has asked for my service, and so my service they will have. It goes against my aesthetics to not provide just that, though I may not be personally invested in their cause.