Fair enough. Euclase was always the hand at statistics, not me.
[ (In fact, Rutile is approximately tied for second oldest. They, of course, don't know this, and they'd feel very safe in agreeing with Padparadscha in that regard.)
Padparadscha's question hangs in the air. Rutile had known that this would not be a trivial undertaking, but something about their partner's carefully neutral tone and expression paints the expedition in a new, more somber light. Their subtlety has taken years for Rutile to learn to parse; now, though used to the reaction, they still can't tell quite what Padparadscha is thinking. It would cow them, were they not accustomed to the aloof nature. They wonder offhand if Padparadscha reads Rutile with as much ease as the other has difficulty. ]
As far as I need to.
[ As a paltry reassurance, they add, ] I don't intend to put myself in danger. But, then, I think that no one ever does. I just need to do something. I can't sit back and simply let things happen again.
no subject
[ (In fact, Rutile is approximately tied for second oldest. They, of course, don't know this, and they'd feel very safe in agreeing with Padparadscha in that regard.)
Padparadscha's question hangs in the air. Rutile had known that this would not be a trivial undertaking, but something about their partner's carefully neutral tone and expression paints the expedition in a new, more somber light. Their subtlety has taken years for Rutile to learn to parse; now, though used to the reaction, they still can't tell quite what Padparadscha is thinking. It would cow them, were they not accustomed to the aloof nature. They wonder offhand if Padparadscha reads Rutile with as much ease as the other has difficulty. ]
As far as I need to.
[ As a paltry reassurance, they add, ] I don't intend to put myself in danger. But, then, I think that no one ever does. I just need to do something. I can't sit back and simply let things happen again.