[And when he isn't there? Before Luceti, Walter seemed to have little else on his mind beyond protecting Shirley, but it only took a few hours' absense for those knights to come and slaughter any Ferines in their way. The last moment in her world, she saw the knight captain turn his sword on Shirley; the next moment in her world, she will die by that same sword. And, even when he is, what could he do about what people say, or think?
But she keeps this cynical first response inside, continuing to look at the river in silence for a few moments. She can't expect any more than what he's offering, and she doesn't intend to.
...Maybe she's letting fear think for her too much. The people from the Legacy didn't treat her badly when they knew. Maybe it isn't because there are good countries and bad countries -- not entirely. Maybe there were people who hated the Ferines there, too, who kept quiet due to the pressure from the more vocal ones who seemed neutral about them. There are a few people here other than Sokka who she hopes will accept her and might feel the same as he does. If there are enough, then maybe the hypothetical people who would not accept her -- who Fenimore still believes exist despite the existence of other non-humans -- will keep their thoughts to themselves.
It wouldn't be pleasant, having people think that way about her, but she doesn't take it for granted that humans will be accepting, so the existence of humans who are means a lot to her. In spite of the initial cynicism, what Sokka said means a lot to her. She should express her gratitude.]
1/2
But she keeps this cynical first response inside, continuing to look at the river in silence for a few moments. She can't expect any more than what he's offering, and she doesn't intend to.
...Maybe she's letting fear think for her too much. The people from the Legacy didn't treat her badly when they knew. Maybe it isn't because there are good countries and bad countries -- not entirely. Maybe there were people who hated the Ferines there, too, who kept quiet due to the pressure from the more vocal ones who seemed neutral about them. There are a few people here other than Sokka who she hopes will accept her and might feel the same as he does. If there are enough, then maybe the hypothetical people who would not accept her -- who Fenimore still believes exist despite the existence of other non-humans -- will keep their thoughts to themselves.
It wouldn't be pleasant, having people think that way about her, but she doesn't take it for granted that humans will be accepting, so the existence of humans who are means a lot to her. In spite of the initial cynicism, what Sokka said means a lot to her. She should express her gratitude.]