"Ah," says Daniel, adopting the automatic conversational reticence that usually follows that particular inquiry aimed at that particular spot in his life. Sephronia offers a stabilizing paw to his shoulder for reassurance and for a minute Daniel is seized with the absurd urge to grab hold of it in completion of the implicit 'helping hand' metaphor.
The distracted regret lingering in his expression crumbles under the pressure of the fluid half-smile he shoots at Seth in response.
"I'm not the only person in the world who's familiar with the concept of loss," he replies easily. "It'll happen regardless of who you are or how dangerous your job is. We're just two of its many victims."
An appropriately blanket-like statement, designed to carefully ease the pathway of discussion away from the harsh specifics. Daniel's a little guilty to be employing such an obviously political tactic but it's currently the best way he can think of to inform Seth that, no, now wouldn't be the best time for talking about the weighty and ambiguous 'it' or dissecting any of the associated emotions. The dream environment is damaging his sensory reflexes enough as it is.
no subject
The distracted regret lingering in his expression crumbles under the pressure of the fluid half-smile he shoots at Seth in response.
"I'm not the only person in the world who's familiar with the concept of loss," he replies easily. "It'll happen regardless of who you are or how dangerous your job is. We're just two of its many victims."
An appropriately blanket-like statement, designed to carefully ease the pathway of discussion away from the harsh specifics. Daniel's a little guilty to be employing such an obviously political tactic but it's currently the best way he can think of to inform Seth that, no, now wouldn't be the best time for talking about the weighty and ambiguous 'it' or dissecting any of the associated emotions. The dream environment is damaging his sensory reflexes enough as it is.