[ Others might find themselves disappointed or crestfallen to see Strohl withdrawing his hands from the desk. Will, on the other hand, merely holds Strohl's gaze, for he'd wholeheartedly meant it when he said this decision should be made by Strohl's hand alone. After all, it has more to do with him than it does with Will. He is simply the necessary signatory to push the project along and need not be intimately involved in the intricate details, even if he did prefer to at least be kept abreast of general schematics.
And though he's heard Strohl recount that evening at Louis' soiree before, Will dedicates his entire attention towards listening to Strohl's recollections. He'd been stunned the first time he heard the story. Strohl's confrontation with Louis could have gone southward in the blink of an eye. Instead, Louis had apparently responded with cool frankness. If anything, Louis had never tried to hide any of his intentions. It seems that attitude had extended to entertaining all of Strohl's questions that night.
But here, between the two of them, there are no dressed-up words, only the weight of truth hanging in the air. For a moment, it seems as if Strohl has changed his mind to reach out for the empty book, only to allow that very hand to drop to the desk again. Even now there is not a single shade of disappointment in crystalline eyes, only serene acquiescence to Strohl's ultimate decision. ]
It's okay. ...the fact that you're willing to admit you're not ready shows me you'll get there someday.
[ Very few people would readily confess to weakness, even amongst the closest of confidants. It's an admirable trait in Will's eyes no matter how many stern lectures he's received from Hulkenberg about keeping certain pieces of information at closer guard.
Will draws the empty book inward, holding it against his chest. He'd known how acutely Strohl felt the criticism leveled against their current regime. Then again, it seems all members of the Six Partisans were more wary of it. Theirs is a fragile peace; each of them had seen with their own eyes, felt with their own hands, just how many mountains they'd had to claw their ways over to reach for it.
Will is no exception. He hears it all the time while wandering through both Sunshade Row and Sunlumeo Street. ]
I'll be all right though. I'm not made of glass. ...part of it can't be helped. Remember the things people used to say about the former king?
[ With a bit of a wry smile, he can't help but add: ]
But... in case you forgot, I'm used to people saying unkind things about me.
[ It continues even now. There are still those who shudder at the thought of an elda seated upon the throne. There are still those who recoil at the thought of bending a knee to a member of a lesser tribe that had, up until last year, been branded as worth less than the rubble around Sunshade Row.
Will reaches for the book of records and lifts one of its covers. Though he closes it to signal the near conclusion of this conversation, his fingertips still rest against the embroidered name of Strohl's former home. ]
It's all right if you don't know when. I don't mind waiting for that day, and I'll look forward to it too.
[ He'd wait an eternity if that's what it takes for Strohl to feel he has finally grown into the man he wishes to be.
There are the practical matters, however, that must be faced even with Strohl's current decision. In the blink of an eye there could be someone, anyone, who might seek to challenge Strohl's title. Eupha would likely be the first to hear of it, given that all contests of territory were now sorted through the magistrates instead of unnecessary bloodshed. There's the option, too, of Strohl attempting to reassert said title in writing, but there's probably more merit in letting sleeping dragons lie. There's no need to garner unnecessary attention towards Halia. ]
Let me know if you'd like to return there someday just to survey the land for ideas.
[ And before Strohl can protest, claiming that he wouldn't wish to burden Will with it, he pushes back in anticipation of objections with: ]
I'll ultimately be the one who chooses to approve or deny your future proposal, so I actually do need to be kept in the loop.
no subject
And though he's heard Strohl recount that evening at Louis' soiree before, Will dedicates his entire attention towards listening to Strohl's recollections. He'd been stunned the first time he heard the story. Strohl's confrontation with Louis could have gone southward in the blink of an eye. Instead, Louis had apparently responded with cool frankness. If anything, Louis had never tried to hide any of his intentions. It seems that attitude had extended to entertaining all of Strohl's questions that night.
But here, between the two of them, there are no dressed-up words, only the weight of truth hanging in the air. For a moment, it seems as if Strohl has changed his mind to reach out for the empty book, only to allow that very hand to drop to the desk again. Even now there is not a single shade of disappointment in crystalline eyes, only serene acquiescence to Strohl's ultimate decision. ]
It's okay. ...the fact that you're willing to admit you're not ready shows me you'll get there someday.
[ Very few people would readily confess to weakness, even amongst the closest of confidants. It's an admirable trait in Will's eyes no matter how many stern lectures he's received from Hulkenberg about keeping certain pieces of information at closer guard.
Will draws the empty book inward, holding it against his chest. He'd known how acutely Strohl felt the criticism leveled against their current regime. Then again, it seems all members of the Six Partisans were more wary of it. Theirs is a fragile peace; each of them had seen with their own eyes, felt with their own hands, just how many mountains they'd had to claw their ways over to reach for it.
Will is no exception. He hears it all the time while wandering through both Sunshade Row and Sunlumeo Street. ]
I'll be all right though. I'm not made of glass. ...part of it can't be helped. Remember the things people used to say about the former king?
[ With a bit of a wry smile, he can't help but add: ]
But... in case you forgot, I'm used to people saying unkind things about me.
[ It continues even now. There are still those who shudder at the thought of an elda seated upon the throne. There are still those who recoil at the thought of bending a knee to a member of a lesser tribe that had, up until last year, been branded as worth less than the rubble around Sunshade Row.
Will reaches for the book of records and lifts one of its covers. Though he closes it to signal the near conclusion of this conversation, his fingertips still rest against the embroidered name of Strohl's former home. ]
It's all right if you don't know when. I don't mind waiting for that day, and I'll look forward to it too.
[ He'd wait an eternity if that's what it takes for Strohl to feel he has finally grown into the man he wishes to be.
There are the practical matters, however, that must be faced even with Strohl's current decision. In the blink of an eye there could be someone, anyone, who might seek to challenge Strohl's title. Eupha would likely be the first to hear of it, given that all contests of territory were now sorted through the magistrates instead of unnecessary bloodshed. There's the option, too, of Strohl attempting to reassert said title in writing, but there's probably more merit in letting sleeping dragons lie. There's no need to garner unnecessary attention towards Halia. ]
Let me know if you'd like to return there someday just to survey the land for ideas.
[ And before Strohl can protest, claiming that he wouldn't wish to burden Will with it, he pushes back in anticipation of objections with: ]
I'll ultimately be the one who chooses to approve or deny your future proposal, so I actually do need to be kept in the loop.