[ The more she shares — or doesn't share, at times — the more his initial assessment starts to shift. Comparing her to Aiel or even Birgitte might've been the lazy approach. It doesn't help that it's been a small age since he's seen his best friend, but as the words settle, my people and ascension and united under a cause—
She reminds him of Rand. There's an uncomfortable tug at his thoughts along with the realization, a pang of frustration and guilt and fear that's small enough not to have real bite.
Because technically, it isn't Rand she reminds him of — it's the Dragon Reborn, Rand gone half mad and forced by fate to stand in front of armies. If they weren't wearing cowls he'd be pointedly avoiding eye contact, and as is his mind seems to hit a stumbling block before he tries to rope off his thoughts. ]
(Have you always been like this? All duty and purpose. You must've been a boring child.)
[ Less judgmental this time, 'boring' aside. It's also less abstract, abandoning the concept of responsibility to focus on her. ]
no subject
She reminds him of Rand. There's an uncomfortable tug at his thoughts along with the realization, a pang of frustration and guilt and fear that's small enough not to have real bite.
Because technically, it isn't Rand she reminds him of — it's the Dragon Reborn, Rand gone half mad and forced by fate to stand in front of armies. If they weren't wearing cowls he'd be pointedly avoiding eye contact, and as is his mind seems to hit a stumbling block before he tries to rope off his thoughts. ]
( Have you always been like this? All duty and purpose. You must've been a boring child. )
[ Less judgmental this time, 'boring' aside. It's also less abstract, abandoning the concept of responsibility to focus on her. ]