You are well-liked and respected, so people listen to you. You are responsible and motivated. You are righteous. You believe that we can make a difference. Were it not for your lack of confidence, one could easily argue otherwise.
[But an absence of self-belief is a great failing in a leader. A leader must be a font of belief for their followers. You cannot ask someone to place their faith in you if you have none in yourself.
It is, in short, a waste.]
'Tis a pity that you would rather cling to your doubts than vanquish them.
[There's something funny about having what he's said to Maketh returned to him via Henry. He'd argue on a few of those points regarding him — respected and well-liked by some, and maybe not so righteous as believed, given what he did to IV. However, he figures there's no real point to it. Henry is right in that his doubts linger within him, sometimes staying his hands when they should be doing more.
But he's an old synth hailing from a world where his kind are often shot on sight. He may be an exception to the rule, but very often, synths are some of the worst the Commonwealth has to offer. There's a reason people look at him with apprehension before getting to know him.
But he's changed a few minds. Maybe it's time someone works on changing his.]
I can't say it's not a work in progress, much like this city. I've said the same thing a few times to Maketh, but she has as tendency to doubt my faith in her the wait I'm doubting yours in me now. Guess we both oughtta work on it, huh?
[Henry shifts his weight and runs a hand through his hair.]
No.
[The letters don't really count, given how one-sided the exchange is. And it seems pointless to continue them while this crisis is going on: he doesn't have the time to spare as he is devoting all of his energy to Guard work and keeping his dark mood at bay.]
[In the wake of the desire demon's illusion, a thread of weariness weaves into Henry's obvious puzzlement at Nick's choice of phrase. The occurrence is nothing new -- familiar words used in an unfamiliar arrangement to imply God knows what -- but he's tired of the constant distance after such a vivid reminder of home.
Right now he lacks the patience to try and parse the subtleties of meaning from the question's context.]
What mean you?
[But then he seems to think twice about their conversation, and suddenly suspicious, interjects with:]
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I'm not much of a leader, Henry.
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You are well-liked and respected, so people listen to you. You are responsible and motivated. You are righteous. You believe that we can make a difference. Were it not for your lack of confidence, one could easily argue otherwise.
[But an absence of self-belief is a great failing in a leader. A leader must be a font of belief for their followers. You cannot ask someone to place their faith in you if you have none in yourself.
It is, in short, a waste.]
'Tis a pity that you would rather cling to your doubts than vanquish them.
no subject
But he's an old synth hailing from a world where his kind are often shot on sight. He may be an exception to the rule, but very often, synths are some of the worst the Commonwealth has to offer. There's a reason people look at him with apprehension before getting to know him.
But he's changed a few minds. Maybe it's time someone works on changing his.]
I can't say it's not a work in progress, much like this city. I've said the same thing a few times to Maketh, but she has as tendency to doubt my faith in her the wait I'm doubting yours in me now. Guess we both oughtta work on it, huh?
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You should. There comes a point at which your doubts will be taken for truth. Do not yourself an injustice.
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We'll see if I can't do better next time you and Maketh go MIA.
[Though he's hoping that doesn't happen. Speaking of MIA people...]
By the way, you spoken to Shadow lately?
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No.
[The letters don't really count, given how one-sided the exchange is. And it seems pointless to continue them while this crisis is going on: he doesn't have the time to spare as he is devoting all of his energy to Guard work and keeping his dark mood at bay.]
Shadow still insists on avoiding me.
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I was wondering about that. Anything I can do?
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[Or rather, he was, and he will continue to do so when his hurts are less fresh.]
Intervention would but worsen matters.
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What is his beef with you, anyway?
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Right now he lacks the patience to try and parse the subtleties of meaning from the question's context.]
What mean you?
[But then he seems to think twice about their conversation, and suddenly suspicious, interjects with:]
Have you spoken with Shadow of late?
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[Not that he'll be telling Shadow that he told Henry this, but Henry ought to know.]
I keep hoping he'll come back to us.
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As do I.