[Oh, and credit Palamedes this: he knows how it sounds. He knows any defense of the Sixth he can make, no matter how spirited, will come across as more than a little concerning. He's been in Trench long enough to have been informed quite a few times just how uncomfortable the circumstances of his home make other people, whether it be the Sixth itself or the Empire as a whole, and—
Well, he gets it. He doesn't disagree: The Empire of the Nine Houses is, in a word, bad. But the Sixth are his family, his friends - he makes a face, briefly, lips thinning in an uncertain half-grimace. It's for the reality of the thing - the Empire is bad, consulting charts is tedious, his family deserves better now that he knows better exists - and not for the way Megumi's distaste shows in his face. It's refreshing, in a way, after so many people treat the Sixth's situation like a funny joke about aliens on Mercury.
He says,] That's what we're not interested in participating in, as it happens. Honestly, what I'd like to do is... well, never mind.
[He's not going to start talking about treasonous things like 'leaving forever,' not here at this party. Who knows what local dictatorial maniac spies could be listening. It's there in the set of his shoulders and the way he drums his fingers on the side of the teacup, but. Maybe another time.]
There are systems in place back home older than regular human comprehension; it's difficult to change overnight. I'm doing what I can, but— [he frowns abruptly, sipping the tea to make it less obvious,] Circumstances, you know.
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Well, he gets it. He doesn't disagree: The Empire of the Nine Houses is, in a word, bad. But the Sixth are his family, his friends - he makes a face, briefly, lips thinning in an uncertain half-grimace. It's for the reality of the thing - the Empire is bad, consulting charts is tedious, his family deserves better now that he knows better exists - and not for the way Megumi's distaste shows in his face. It's refreshing, in a way, after so many people treat the Sixth's situation like a funny joke about aliens on Mercury.
He says,] That's what we're not interested in participating in, as it happens. Honestly, what I'd like to do is... well, never mind.
[He's not going to start talking about treasonous things like 'leaving forever,' not here at this party. Who knows what local dictatorial maniac spies could be listening. It's there in the set of his shoulders and the way he drums his fingers on the side of the teacup, but. Maybe another time.]
There are systems in place back home older than regular human comprehension; it's difficult to change overnight. I'm doing what I can, but— [he frowns abruptly, sipping the tea to make it less obvious,] Circumstances, you know.