Tal would have understood if she had changed her mind or simply decided not to speak. Everyone he knew had secrets; things they were ashamed of, or things that hurt too much to share. It wouldn't have changed his opinion of his friend, though the curiosity and worry might have eaten him alive for awhile.
But she did start her tale, and he consciously clenched his jaw shut against his instinct to interject or interrupt. As much as he wanted to speak up at several points he forced himself to be content with gentle squeezes to her foot until she had run down, leaving him with so many more questions...
Not all of which had answers that Soh could give.
He took a deep breath and looked up, willing to meet his friend's eyes if she focused on him. "Soh. I don't hate you. Y'did everythin' I would've done. Everythin' I asked you t'do when we trained. Y'protected yourself. I dunno all the details but... a guy like that? Only one of you was walkin' out o' that street. An' I would choose you t'be the one comin' home every time." He squeezed her foot again, understanding now why she had flinched from him earlier and not wanting to scare her again by reaching higher until she was ready.
"'Sides, I've met Mateo a few times. Weird kid, but if he says the guy was alive, then I believe 'im. You survived, Soh. That's all that matters t'me."
But she did start her tale, and he consciously clenched his jaw shut against his instinct to interject or interrupt. As much as he wanted to speak up at several points he forced himself to be content with gentle squeezes to her foot until she had run down, leaving him with so many more questions...
Not all of which had answers that Soh could give.
He took a deep breath and looked up, willing to meet his friend's eyes if she focused on him. "Soh. I don't hate you. Y'did everythin' I would've done. Everythin' I asked you t'do when we trained. Y'protected yourself. I dunno all the details but... a guy like that? Only one of you was walkin' out o' that street. An' I would choose you t'be the one comin' home every time." He squeezed her foot again, understanding now why she had flinched from him earlier and not wanting to scare her again by reaching higher until she was ready.
"'Sides, I've met Mateo a few times. Weird kid, but if he says the guy was alive, then I believe 'im. You survived, Soh. That's all that matters t'me."
