Lexa's heart feels full and heavy in response to these words, and the statement itself nearly makes it impossible for her to comprehend what comes next. The idea that someone could have nothing isn't foreign, but her people have struggled to give meaning to their lives in the wake of a lot of terrible. And most recently, Lexa has tried to offer them a future—a future without pain, without suffering, without constant warring. She has tried to show them new ways of valuing themselves so that they can have a future. But now she's here, and as such, unable to follow through on that.
Having something that matters is important.
And if it involves protecting people, then Lexa understands that. Her strength lies in protecting others. She's seen the Reapers turned back to men, and the way they've suffered in the wake of that transformation. She can see the rings under their eyes and she can tell that they want nothing more than to be removed from the monstrous identities that had been forced upon them. But she also knows that they can't forget it, the same way that she has had to carry the burden of allowing hundreds of her people to die for the greater goal of stopping the Mountain Men. She had carried it with purpose and certainty, but deep down, she knew (she knows) there was another way.
Either way, it's tied to the idea of owing her people something, the same way that Lexa owes her people something (and always will).
Lexa inclines her head forward, processing what she might say next.]
It does. [A short, simple response. And then:] Your choice matters. [It's repetitive, to a degree, but Lexa feels its important to state it in a slightly different context.] Even if you never had one before. Your people matter. There is always a way to expand upon a simple idea.
Cathaway and the Prince both claim that our hands will never be forced in these missions, but ... I believe you should hold on to that. Never let them suggest that it's in your best interests to do any different. Be defiant because you can. [These are ideals that Lexa herself would never abide by as a leader, but Cathaway and the Prince aren't meant to be leaders.
Even if their existence as the only Hosts is suspicious in and of itself.]
no subject
Lexa's heart feels full and heavy in response to these words, and the statement itself nearly makes it impossible for her to comprehend what comes next. The idea that someone could have nothing isn't foreign, but her people have struggled to give meaning to their lives in the wake of a lot of terrible. And most recently, Lexa has tried to offer them a future—a future without pain, without suffering, without constant warring. She has tried to show them new ways of valuing themselves so that they can have a future. But now she's here, and as such, unable to follow through on that.
Having something that matters is important.
And if it involves protecting people, then Lexa understands that. Her strength lies in protecting others. She's seen the Reapers turned back to men, and the way they've suffered in the wake of that transformation. She can see the rings under their eyes and she can tell that they want nothing more than to be removed from the monstrous identities that had been forced upon them. But she also knows that they can't forget it, the same way that she has had to carry the burden of allowing hundreds of her people to die for the greater goal of stopping the Mountain Men. She had carried it with purpose and certainty, but deep down, she knew (she knows) there was another way.
Either way, it's tied to the idea of owing her people something, the same way that Lexa owes her people something (and always will).
Lexa inclines her head forward, processing what she might say next.]
It does. [A short, simple response. And then:] Your choice matters. [It's repetitive, to a degree, but Lexa feels its important to state it in a slightly different context.] Even if you never had one before. Your people matter. There is always a way to expand upon a simple idea.
Cathaway and the Prince both claim that our hands will never be forced in these missions, but ... I believe you should hold on to that. Never let them suggest that it's in your best interests to do any different. Be defiant because you can. [These are ideals that Lexa herself would never abide by as a leader, but Cathaway and the Prince aren't meant to be leaders.
Even if their existence as the only Hosts is suspicious in and of itself.]