(There's that lingering "but" still and he waits. What he doesn't expect is how long he has to wait. After a moment, he sits up straighter and eyes go a little sharper as he watches the other man carefully. Something has changed. It's like he can catch that ever so slight change in confidence, that crack in his pride. As flippant as Tsurumaru can be, he's surprisingly observant of his surroundings and for all of his whimsy, he knows when to adapt and adjust his behavior.
And then it comes.
There it is.
That sensitive and uncomfortable burden. He isn't surprised that Ratio feels it. He's surprised that he's admitted it. He would have thought the doctor too proud to reveal himself. It reminds him of when he snuck away and spoke to...
Hm.
Tone softer, gentler, a little more understanding, )
... I once met a man who wanted to protect the world.
(Only once. They only met once.)
He was tasked with a heavy burden to carry. He was a great general and he had another army at his mercy. He could decide if they lived or died. He didn't disagree with their cause. You see, they both wanted a better world but their objectives were different.
In the end, he chose to commit the greatest mistake. He chose to make an example of them. He expected grievances. He expected wrath. However, he embraced the regret that came from making such a mistake. He committed the greatest mistake to ensure others would learn from it and never make the same mistake.
As a result, this very country experienced nearly two more centuries of relative peace.
(Tsurumaru is, after all, a spirit from this world so all of this is just a condensed history lesson.)
I really admired him. He could make a single mistake but see beyond it for the bigger picture. He could see the greater lesson and teach everyone to not make the same mistake. He could help create a better world.
Even when I chose to lose my entire army to him... I'm proud I lost it all to such a foolish sage.
(37,000 men, women, and children. Massacred. One of the most sympathetic battles in this country's history.)
no subject
(There's that lingering "but" still and he waits. What he doesn't expect is how long he has to wait. After a moment, he sits up straighter and eyes go a little sharper as he watches the other man carefully. Something has changed. It's like he can catch that ever so slight change in confidence, that crack in his pride. As flippant as Tsurumaru can be, he's surprisingly observant of his surroundings and for all of his whimsy, he knows when to adapt and adjust his behavior.
And then it comes.
There it is.
That sensitive and uncomfortable burden. He isn't surprised that Ratio feels it. He's surprised that he's admitted it. He would have thought the doctor too proud to reveal himself. It reminds him of when he snuck away and spoke to...
Hm.
Tone softer, gentler, a little more understanding, )
... I once met a man who wanted to protect the world.
(Only once. They only met once.)
He was tasked with a heavy burden to carry. He was a great general and he had another army at his mercy. He could decide if they lived or died. He didn't disagree with their cause. You see, they both wanted a better world but their objectives were different.
In the end, he chose to commit the greatest mistake. He chose to make an example of them. He expected grievances. He expected wrath. However, he embraced the regret that came from making such a mistake. He committed the greatest mistake to ensure others would learn from it and never make the same mistake.
As a result, this very country experienced nearly two more centuries of relative peace.
(Tsurumaru is, after all, a spirit from this world so all of this is just a condensed history lesson.)
I really admired him. He could make a single mistake but see beyond it for the bigger picture. He could see the greater lesson and teach everyone to not make the same mistake. He could help create a better world.
Even when I chose to lose my entire army to him... I'm proud I lost it all to such a foolish sage.
(37,000 men, women, and children. Massacred. One of the most sympathetic battles in this country's history.)
Foolish doctor, you're in good company here.