A handler and a wolf function as a unit together, [he explains calmly. How are they such close friend without her knowing all of this?] We share a rank. My handler controls my schedule, training, missions, and has complete authority. I need one because...
[Rome frowns a little.]
-well, I just explained it. I'm not as intelligent and I can't be trusted to make the right call in the heat of the moment. I don't have the morality or emotional grasp to make decisions that could affect the lives of others, and if I lost control, I would be a liability. My handler utilizes me as he sees fit, and I focus solely on completing the tasks laid out for me. It's what they intended when they altered me- when they injected me with the lycanthropy virus at birth.
I'm not saying you have to tell me or anything, I'm just saying... I don't know. You're in a totally different world, and I know it sucks here, but you don't have to do what you did back home if you don't want to.
I like... [He's searching for a way to say it, but it's difficult when he's never had to put anything like this into words before.] ...I'd like to trust someone. With- myself.
[A weird way to put it, maybe, but he doesn't have the language for what he wants. Rome has never had much of a personhood- being given the opportunity to explore that feels intimate somehow. Or maybe he's just conflating the two because they're both so foreign to him; either way, it's something that he thinks he could want.]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
[Rome frowns a little.]
-well, I just explained it. I'm not as intelligent and I can't be trusted to make the right call in the heat of the moment. I don't have the morality or emotional grasp to make decisions that could affect the lives of others, and if I lost control, I would be a liability. My handler utilizes me as he sees fit, and I focus solely on completing the tasks laid out for me. It's what they intended when they altered me- when they injected me with the lycanthropy virus at birth.
[To answer her third question.]
All military wolves are wards of the state.
no subject
[She's getting a little heated again.]
I bet that's all crap they told you, isn't it? About not having morality or intelligence or whatever. How do you even know that's true?
[Her instinct is to say it's not, not that she knows enough about the situation to prove it.]
no subject
[Well, this conversation took a turn for the unpleasant rather quickly.]
I'm not upset about it. It's just reality.
no subject
no subject
[Simple, and honest.]
no subject
no subject
[Bruh, you're being kinda pushy here.]
I'm comfortable like this. I'd have to think about it.
no subject
no subject
[He doesn't know what he wants, is the thing. Nobody has ever asked him before.]
I shouldn't have brought this up. I'm sorry.
no subject
[She reaches for one of his hands again, much more gently this time.]
Sorry. I wasn't trying to like... Be an asshole about it. You're one of my best friends, you know? [Obviously.] I just want you to be happy.
no subject
[He says in his usual flat, blunt manner.]
I'm not sure if that's happiness, but- contentment, maybe. [Yes, that sounds about right. He nods.] I'm content.
no subject
You're such a nerd. You'd better like hanging out with me.
[Her tone is obviously fond.]
How'd you feel when Morgan kissed you? Was it... You know, nice?
no subject
It was... over quickly. I don't know if I had time to feel anything.
no subject
no subject
[I'm sorry Kyna, he's hopeless.]
I like... [He's searching for a way to say it, but it's difficult when he's never had to put anything like this into words before.] ...I'd like to trust someone. With- myself.
[A weird way to put it, maybe, but he doesn't have the language for what he wants. Rome has never had much of a personhood- being given the opportunity to explore that feels intimate somehow. Or maybe he's just conflating the two because they're both so foreign to him; either way, it's something that he thinks he could want.]
no subject
I mean... It doesn't have to be with Morgan just because he's the first person to kiss you, you know? But maybe you should talk to him.
no subject
[Honest, even if it kinda sucks.]
But I'll think about it. Thank you.
no subject
no subject
[He nods.]
He's too lazy to find his own house.
no subject
no subject
[It's. Sort of a joke. Maybe. The corner of his mouth curls upward momentarily.]
no subject
Lucky you. If he starts being a jerk just hoard all the best food or something.
no subject
[But he's feeling better about this whole thing now.]