[ Sinbad remains quiet as Jun spills out all of that information, assessing what he says - and what he doesn't. There's so much layered in there - some of which he's certain Jun probably didn't intend to share, but Sinbad's always been good at reading between the lines. And even more, at reading people.
When he finishes, he still sits there quietly for a moment before speaking in reply. ]
First of all, Aspen is the only one who decides what he deserves and what he needs - and what's more, what he wants. You carry a great deal of guilt for the mistakes you've made and the deeds you've carried out, but all of us do. Who do you think we are, Jun? All three of us have pasts that are dark and troubled. Hell, Ja'far was an assassin, and I.... [ He pauses before giving a quiet sigh. ] My ambitions might be the most dangerous threat my world has ever faced.
What makes someone a 'good' person? That you try to be kind and considerate speaks well for you in itself, Jun, but I can't say the rest of us are any different. I have put people at risk just by being me as well - and I'd wager far more than you can claim. Being near me is no safe bet, either.
So far, none of this discourages me from wanting to have you near, as one of us.
[A moment. Jun's voice is still a bit shaky when he speaks.]
Guilt implies regret, Sinbad. I very rarely regret my choices--someone has to make them, and it might as well be me.
[He's not going to explain what he means by that, even if Sinbad asks.]
And it's not even that my past is troubled. With the exception of only surviving birth in exchange for being signed away as a baby to Bloom, my youth was, for the most part, idyllic. Bloom left me alone until I was seventeen and an adult. I am simply that sort of man, Sinbad.
[A pause, and then he sighs.]
And men--animals like me don't get what they want. We're not living a faerie tale.
[ The words are swift and fierce, coming immediately after Jun says that, and there's just as much conviction in his tone now as when he'd said those same words to Aspen. ]
You are a person - just like me, just like Aspen - with emotions and hopes and fears and longing and everything else. We might not be living in a faerie tale, Jun, but that doesn't mean you can't have what you want.
It doesn't mean that those who care for you won't go to great lengths to see that you do receive what you want. because we want to give it to you.
But it does. And I appreciate what you're trying to say, Sinbad, but that doesn't change anything. I never get what I want. I never have. I've accepted that I never will.
no subject
When he finishes, he still sits there quietly for a moment before speaking in reply. ]
First of all, Aspen is the only one who decides what he deserves and what he needs - and what's more, what he wants. You carry a great deal of guilt for the mistakes you've made and the deeds you've carried out, but all of us do. Who do you think we are, Jun? All three of us have pasts that are dark and troubled. Hell, Ja'far was an assassin, and I.... [ He pauses before giving a quiet sigh. ] My ambitions might be the most dangerous threat my world has ever faced.
What makes someone a 'good' person? That you try to be kind and considerate speaks well for you in itself, Jun, but I can't say the rest of us are any different. I have put people at risk just by being me as well - and I'd wager far more than you can claim. Being near me is no safe bet, either.
So far, none of this discourages me from wanting to have you near, as one of us.
no subject
Guilt implies regret, Sinbad. I very rarely regret my choices--someone has to make them, and it might as well be me.
[He's not going to explain what he means by that, even if Sinbad asks.]
And it's not even that my past is troubled. With the exception of only surviving birth in exchange for being signed away as a baby to Bloom, my youth was, for the most part, idyllic. Bloom left me alone until I was seventeen and an adult. I am simply that sort of man, Sinbad.
[A pause, and then he sighs.]
And men--animals like me don't get what they want. We're not living a faerie tale.
no subject
[ The words are swift and fierce, coming immediately after Jun says that, and there's just as much conviction in his tone now as when he'd said those same words to Aspen. ]
You are a person - just like me, just like Aspen - with emotions and hopes and fears and longing and everything else. We might not be living in a faerie tale, Jun, but that doesn't mean you can't have what you want.
It doesn't mean that those who care for you won't go to great lengths to see that you do receive what you want. because we want to give it to you.
no subject
But it does. And I appreciate what you're trying to say, Sinbad, but that doesn't change anything. I never get what I want. I never have. I've accepted that I never will.
no subject
Then I'm going to very much enjoy proving you wrong.
no subject
Oh, please do. That'd be a first.
no subject
no subject
no subject
[ There's fond amusement in his voice at that, and he certainly sounds confident in his chances. ]
But either way, I owe you a great deal of thanks for your little.... 'intervention' with Ja'far. I will have to show you my appreciation.
no subject
no subject
no subject
no subject