[ Bastien smiles, a lopsided dimply twist that is comforted but not quite cheerful, and briefly leans sideways into the hand on his shoulder in acknowledgment.
Why didn't you like yourself seems too much, given the blushing and fidgeting. Instead— ]
Why aren't you with them anymore?
[ Perhaps that's another sore spot, but not one so obvious he would look (and feel) like an ass for digging into it. ]
[Edgard's breath catches for a second and an emptiness flickers on his face, rushing upward, and he sways a little in the tide of it. Just when it threatens to surge over his head, he shoves it down and snaps his eyes forward.]
Doesn't exist anymore. [He says simply.] Came here because it seemed like the next best option.
[He shrugs and puffs air out his mouth laughing a little, trying to play off the discomfort he just experienced.]
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no subject
Why didn't you like yourself seems too much, given the blushing and fidgeting. Instead— ]
Why aren't you with them anymore?
[ Perhaps that's another sore spot, but not one so obvious he would look (and feel) like an ass for digging into it. ]
no subject
Doesn't exist anymore. [He says simply.] Came here because it seemed like the next best option.
[He shrugs and puffs air out his mouth laughing a little, trying to play off the discomfort he just experienced.]
no subject
[ For a fraction of a moment, he’d thought perhaps there might be an untapped resource there. Connections for the war. Favors to ask.
Clearly not.
He considers Edgard’s expression, then looks politely away. ]
If you ever want to talk about it…
[ The obvious offer goes unfinished, as he offers a subject change instead. ]
Do you like the work we do here?
no subject
Do you?
[He asks in response, laughing a little. He raises his hand, he'll answer.]
I like helping people. Know we are helping people, but don't really see it. Before...I could see it.
[He shrugs and smiles grimly.]
Don't feel particularly useful. [Or rather, he feels utterly useless, most of the time.]