[Fenris listens to the letter carefully, not saying a word as Xenk reads the whole thing to him. He appreciates that the man does so instead of paraphrasing it, though part of him can't help but think that it should be obvious that Xenk would do exactly as he was asked.
There's a small smile when Xenk's sense of humor and how he finishes the letter exactly as is written. It's a smile he doesn't hide or let get drowned in his normally frowny attitude, letting Xenk see that he found it amusing.
Then he takes the letter again and looks it over with a nod, folding it and tucking it away.]
First, you did not know, so I do not fault you. Slaves... are not often afforded such freedoms as being literate. [He thinks this is the first time he's explicitly told the other man he was a slave, but he doesn't linger long on it, moving forward to address the letter.]
Second, to pen my reply... [He pauses for a moment before continuing.]
Dearest Xenk.. [He gives the man a smirk, something amused.
But then he turns more serious, bringing his hand to his chin in thought as he thinks deeply over the situation at hand.] I can see how these issues with the paladins would cause you grief, you are a very righteous and noble man, it is natural how it wouldn't sit right with you to witness the common injustices of a corrupt system..
But this is a great undertaking, are you certain you're up for the task? I have seen a man rise from nothing into a hero and the world turn on him for it.. I cannot say it will not happen again to you. I would not wish to see it happen to you, but to find yourself separating from the pack and making a name for yourself like this...
Though in the same breath, I find myself interested. [He hasn't really broken eye contact with Xenk this whole time, not til this moment when he pauses to look at his own hands.] Independence.. freedom, to not be conscripted to an armada that I have no loyalty to... Instead to be part of a group formed by our own hands, loyalty to those who've earned it.
Whom else have you asked?
[He realizes he's talked a lot when he looks at Xenk once more. Maybe he did just write a letter to the man outloud. It wasn't intentional, but.. may as well sign it.]
no subject
There's a small smile when Xenk's sense of humor and how he finishes the letter exactly as is written. It's a smile he doesn't hide or let get drowned in his normally frowny attitude, letting Xenk see that he found it amusing.
Then he takes the letter again and looks it over with a nod, folding it and tucking it away.]
First, you did not know, so I do not fault you. Slaves... are not often afforded such freedoms as being literate. [He thinks this is the first time he's explicitly told the other man he was a slave, but he doesn't linger long on it, moving forward to address the letter.]
Second, to pen my reply... [He pauses for a moment before continuing.]
Dearest Xenk.. [He gives the man a smirk, something amused.
But then he turns more serious, bringing his hand to his chin in thought as he thinks deeply over the situation at hand.] I can see how these issues with the paladins would cause you grief, you are a very righteous and noble man, it is natural how it wouldn't sit right with you to witness the common injustices of a corrupt system..
But this is a great undertaking, are you certain you're up for the task? I have seen a man rise from nothing into a hero and the world turn on him for it.. I cannot say it will not happen again to you. I would not wish to see it happen to you, but to find yourself separating from the pack and making a name for yourself like this...
Though in the same breath, I find myself interested. [He hasn't really broken eye contact with Xenk this whole time, not til this moment when he pauses to look at his own hands.] Independence.. freedom, to not be conscripted to an armada that I have no loyalty to... Instead to be part of a group formed by our own hands, loyalty to those who've earned it.
Whom else have you asked?
[He realizes he's talked a lot when he looks at Xenk once more. Maybe he did just write a letter to the man outloud. It wasn't intentional, but.. may as well sign it.]
Sincerely yours, Fenris.