[Carlisle lets Atem busy himself, using the silence between them to simmer in his own guilt. He accepted his impending demise long ago: he has had years to do so, after all, having been cursed since he was 14. However, he cannot help but feel the weight of what it means for those around him, for those he has damned to watch him die just by association. Every time that guilt presses upon him anew, he wonders if it was worth it -- if connections and friendships with him, of all people, are worth the suffering they endure from his loss.
He knows a couple of individuals who would say that the impact he has left upon them was worth the trouble; for others, he is not so sure. As someone who has lost those closest to him, he knows he wouldn't envy their positions.
Accepting the tea with a quiet word of gratitude, he says nothing else until Atem speaks again, knowing he cannot change the lad's mind. As always, he feels powerless, out of control of his own life and choices. He has no choice in them even in death -- a pathetic fate for a pathetic man.]
We are.
[He pulls in a breath, inhaling the steam of the drink before him.]
Thank you... for all you've done today. Let us hope our efforts were not in vain.
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He knows a couple of individuals who would say that the impact he has left upon them was worth the trouble; for others, he is not so sure. As someone who has lost those closest to him, he knows he wouldn't envy their positions.
Accepting the tea with a quiet word of gratitude, he says nothing else until Atem speaks again, knowing he cannot change the lad's mind. As always, he feels powerless, out of control of his own life and choices. He has no choice in them even in death -- a pathetic fate for a pathetic man.]
We are.
[He pulls in a breath, inhaling the steam of the drink before him.]
Thank you... for all you've done today. Let us hope our efforts were not in vain.