[ He doesn't, actually. Gen doesn't like dealing with kids, and if this child were an unrelated stranger, Gen probably would have pawned him off on Eustace and left the scene without a moment's hesitation. Kids remind him of too many things, after all -- the worst moments of his life if they're sad, or the idyllic childhood he never got to have, if they're stupid and happy and innocent -- so he simply avoids them for the most part.
But because this situation is what it is, and because this child is Eustace ... ]
... you didn't need to.
[ Gen's tone of voice isn't gentle, not by a long shot, because when is he ever gentle? But it's even and low, lacking in his usual bluster. He keeps his gaze trained ahead, scanning the streets ahead for any actual threats (there are none), but the intensity to his words makes it clear he's giving plenty of thought to what's the right thing to say. ]
It's normal for siblings to bicker and fight sometimes. [ Probably. ] You didn't do anything wrong just 'cause you didn't listen to her.
[ 'Because otherwise you'd be dead,' he thinks, but knows better than to say out loud. There's a pause before he adds, ]
Sometimes things just happen. Thinking it's your fault is pointless.
[ But his words feel hollower this time. Across their connection, Eustace might feel a faint undercurrent of derision, mostly aimed at himself -- Gen doesn't even really believe what he's said. But it's the sort of thing adults would say, he thinks. Maybe it'll help. ]
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But because this situation is what it is, and because this child is Eustace ... ]
... you didn't need to.
[ Gen's tone of voice isn't gentle, not by a long shot, because when is he ever gentle? But it's even and low, lacking in his usual bluster. He keeps his gaze trained ahead, scanning the streets ahead for any actual threats (there are none), but the intensity to his words makes it clear he's giving plenty of thought to what's the right thing to say. ]
It's normal for siblings to bicker and fight sometimes. [ Probably. ] You didn't do anything wrong just 'cause you didn't listen to her.
[ 'Because otherwise you'd be dead,' he thinks, but knows better than to say out loud. There's a pause before he adds, ]
Sometimes things just happen. Thinking it's your fault is pointless.
[ But his words feel hollower this time. Across their connection, Eustace might feel a faint undercurrent of derision, mostly aimed at himself -- Gen doesn't even really believe what he's said. But it's the sort of thing adults would say, he thinks. Maybe it'll help. ]