[She bites back on the rotten taste of-- not disappointment. That's not what this is, she tells herself. Because if she was looking for approval or validation for jack, she could get it by playing her cards a little less close. Worry, then. And that's normal: to be concerned about a kid in Jasper's position. He's older and more capable than he seems, she knows, but there's no shaking loose that sense where he's still just a child. More vulnerable, less armored and nothing about the way he practices schooling his expression and the lines of himself is really going to dislodge the taut feeling behind her ribs.
(Or maybe that has nothing to do with him. Maybe that's everything to do with Attano. But just like the rest, she's not going to put that under a lens for too long.)
But she nods back. It's equally short, equally firm. An itch pinches between her shoulder blades. She clears her raw throat. It doesn't have to be her.]
Good. Anders should be able to handle anything you can't on your own.
no subject
(Or maybe that has nothing to do with him. Maybe that's everything to do with Attano. But just like the rest, she's not going to put that under a lens for too long.)
But she nods back. It's equally short, equally firm. An itch pinches between her shoulder blades. She clears her raw throat. It doesn't have to be her.]
Good. Anders should be able to handle anything you can't on your own.
[High praise.]