Her fears were not ungrounded, and Hadama nodded slowly at the names she mentioned, though his expression was unreadable at Sohalia's name. The not-quite-tears, though, moved him and he took a step towards her before the name caught on her lips. It was barbed, that hook, and it tore on the way out. It brought with it an insight - or two - that gave him pause.The words of Black Jack Barclay were worth consideration, but this was, perhaps, not the time to linger over them.
Instead he reached out, settling a large hand on Flora's shoulder and squeezing it gently. "Captain Barclay is not wrong. But it is more complicated than that." For some, the promise of safety was worth any price. For others, freedom was worth any risk. And Jack had been willing to take some risks of his own, independent of Flora. "I have not forgiven you, either, for the pain you caused. To Jack and Sohalia as well as myself." Though they were perfectly capable of making their own decisions as to when - or if - they would be ready to forgive her. As it seemed Jack already had. And as for Sohalia...
He turned his thoughts away from the former queen with his own weary resolution.
His hand shifted, then, to brush her cheek beneath determined eyes, his own gaze warm in spite of his words. "But I am proud of you, Flora Kaito-Taliesin. And I will support you in your bargain, whichever region of Torchline is chosen."
Instead he reached out, settling a large hand on Flora's shoulder and squeezing it gently. "Captain Barclay is not wrong. But it is more complicated than that." For some, the promise of safety was worth any price. For others, freedom was worth any risk. And Jack had been willing to take some risks of his own, independent of Flora. "I have not forgiven you, either, for the pain you caused. To Jack and Sohalia as well as myself." Though they were perfectly capable of making their own decisions as to when - or if - they would be ready to forgive her. As it seemed Jack already had. And as for Sohalia...
He turned his thoughts away from the former queen with his own weary resolution.
His hand shifted, then, to brush her cheek beneath determined eyes, his own gaze warm in spite of his words. "But I am proud of you, Flora Kaito-Taliesin. And I will support you in your bargain, whichever region of Torchline is chosen."
