She calls Shenanigans

[nottheproblem]

It is true that I could likely carry Haytham with little difficulty.
It does not mean that I'd care to.

Comments

[keepyour_finger]

Our Mondano's come up with some odd requests, don't they?

[nottheproblem]

Less a request and more an idle musing. It makes it no less irritating.

[lifescratched]

...I do not think he would allow you to carry him, either.

[Muns are bizarre.]

[nottheproblem]

It would surprise you to find what he would or wouldn't allow.

[lifescratched]

Such as? [Connor bb sssh, you don't want to hear this adult stuff.]

[nottheproblem]

[......
There's a rather distinct pause.]

Very few things I'd think you would want to hear.

[lifescratched]

...Oh. Very well, then.

[He just looks confused. No, he doesn't get it.]

[nottheproblem]

There is no denying, however, that if I ask him of something - Haytham - it'd seem he's more willing to comply. From my own observance, of course.

[lifescratched]

I have difficulty imagining it. Father always does as he pleases and answers to no one.

[nottheproblem]

You will not like hearing it, but there are some similarities between you and him. I see good traits of his in you. And good traits of myself, as well.

[But she supposes that point is somewhat moot.]

How often do you answer to others?

[lifescratched]

[His expression says well enough how little he likes to hear that.]

...When it is necessary to do so.

[nottheproblem]

Would you say you answer to others before yourself, Ratonhnhaké:ton?

[lifescratched]

I answer to the needs of the people. But I do not allow myself to be blindly commanded.

[Especially not after how things turned out with Washington.]

[nottheproblem]

I was not accusing you of anything. I only wanted to know that you do think of yourself at times.

[lifescratched]

You need not worry for me, Mother.

[nottheproblem]

You will say that many times and know it will always end the same: I will continue to worry for you as I see fit.

[lifescratched]

You are worse than Father -- neither of you listen.

[nottheproblem]

Is that a thing you should say to your mother?

[On the contrary, she's a little amused by the comparison.]

[lifescratched]

Yes. I do not like to see you worry.

[Also he's a punk like that.]

[nottheproblem]

Yet you are permitted to worry over me. [And she knows you do, so don't bother denying it.] How unfair of you.

[lifescratched]

I owe you a great deal more than worry, Mother.

[nottheproblem]

You owe me? And what is it that you feel you owe me?

[lifescratched]

[He's silent at first, reluctant to speak, but his guilt-stricken expression says enough.]

If I had done more... If I had tried harder to save you, then perhaps...

[nottheproblem]

There was nothing you could have done. It was not your doing. You must find a way to forgive yourself.

[Because she forgives him. Although there's nothing to forgive.]

[lifescratched]

I know it was not my fault. And yet...

[He'd grown up wondering if he'd only been stronger, if he'd tried harder, things could have gone differently. Which was why he'd devoted his entire life to becoming strong enough to protect all else he cared for.]

I am sorry. It is wrong of me to dwell on such things, when you are here.

[nottheproblem]

The past makes us who we are in the present. Yet it is what you do today and tomorrow that will make you who you will become.

[She shakes her head.]

I am not disappointed in the man I see before me. He is not weak of will or character. His strength is greater because of the loss he has endured. One day perhaps you will be able to see what it is that I do.