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[Why... he knows why.
Because he wasn't able to face Stahn's face like that. He wasn't able to lift his sword against someone who looked like Stahn,not again, and so he'd let Stahn put himself into danger because of his own inability.
...]
I am a coward.
[Isn't that what it boils down to? He was too frightened to do anything, and too weak to work through it. Somehow, it's easier to admit to Otome than he'd thought it would be--but perhaps it's because there's something about her even now that reminds him of...well, the only actual piece of home he ever had.
He'd talked to Marian like this too. So even though Otome is different...it's reassuring.]
Because he wasn't able to face Stahn's face like that. He wasn't able to lift his sword against someone who looked like Stahn,not again, and so he'd let Stahn put himself into danger because of his own inability.
...]
I am a coward.
[Isn't that what it boils down to? He was too frightened to do anything, and too weak to work through it. Somehow, it's easier to admit to Otome than he'd thought it would be--but perhaps it's because there's something about her even now that reminds him of...well, the only actual piece of home he ever had.
He'd talked to Marian like this too. So even though Otome is different...it's reassuring.]
[ That face... has she ever actually seen Leon make a face like that before? It's almost as surprising as hearing him make an admittance that declares some sort of vulnerability. Otome had since learned to read the truth between his words - and it's usually always there, in his mannerisms - but for Leon to outright state it like that?
... She won't take it for granted; she's touched. And also more than a little concerned. ]
Because you didn't want to fight them?
... She won't take it for granted; she's touched. And also more than a little concerned. ]
Because you didn't want to fight them?
[Hmmm.... moving on then.... eventually they'll make it to the hiking boots. Leon knocks a fist against the bottom of the boot, arching an eyebrow.]
This is more like what we should be looking for.
[Probably.
He's not really 100% sure, he wears a pre-chosen uniform.]
This is more like what we should be looking for.
[Probably.
He's not really 100% sure, he wears a pre-chosen uniform.]
[Is it that he didn't want to, or that he wasn't capable of it? He's not sure. If pushed to it, would he have been able to throw himself into the fray to protect Stahn? He likes to think so, but he's not certain, and that bothers him more than he'd like to admit.
He sighs, ducking his head, hair falling to frame and hide his face in equal measure.]
I cannot say for certain that I would have been capable of such a thing.
[He's been declaring all week, almost frantically, that he can do it.
That he could kill them if need be. That they were just robots.
And when it came down to it... they looked like Stahn, and he hesitated.]
He sighs, ducking his head, hair falling to frame and hide his face in equal measure.]
I cannot say for certain that I would have been capable of such a thing.
[He's been declaring all week, almost frantically, that he can do it.
That he could kill them if need be. That they were just robots.
And when it came down to it... they looked like Stahn, and he hesitated.]
[ again, there's the urge to reach out to him, to nudge his bangs away from his face in quiet reassurance-- but, as always, Otome suppresses it and instead clears her throat. ]
That doesn't make you a coward.
[ She'll just softly point that out. She doubts Stahn thinks any less of Leon for it, and she remembers how... vaguely uncomfortable it had been to have watched Hiro kill something that looked/sounded/acted like her. ]
That doesn't make you a coward.
[ She'll just softly point that out. She doubts Stahn thinks any less of Leon for it, and she remembers how... vaguely uncomfortable it had been to have watched Hiro kill something that looked/sounded/acted like her. ]
It does.
[He won't hesitate to argue that one, expression flat when he does look at her then.]
I should be able to handle any opponent; the face attached does not matter. That is what I should be able to do on my honor as a knight--
[... Not that he has much honor anymore.
Or is a knight.
... Kind of ruins his entire argument, honestly, but still.]
...It was pathetic that I could not do even that much. That creature was a threat. [To Stahn, especially, which is what makes it even worse.]
[He won't hesitate to argue that one, expression flat when he does look at her then.]
I should be able to handle any opponent; the face attached does not matter. That is what I should be able to do on my honor as a knight--
[... Not that he has much honor anymore.
Or is a knight.
... Kind of ruins his entire argument, honestly, but still.]
...It was pathetic that I could not do even that much. That creature was a threat. [To Stahn, especially, which is what makes it even worse.]
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