Nathaniel is still deeply skeptical, though now he at least knows what he's skeptical of.
After all, while the biographies of Gladstone had included challenges faced and then overcome through might of arms and the persuasive words of a man who everyone knew would properly rule the empire, he was well aware of the ultimate outcome. Gladstone is famous for his supreme energy and his implacable defiance when the chips were down. He had never given up his cause, even when things looked bad. He had never let anyone insult his honor, or that of his friends. He was powerful and prepared to challenge anyone who wronged him.
Yes, those traits are all admirable in and of themselves, but if Gladstone had failed and gotten lost to history, well, there's a reason he would have been forgotten.
On more personal grounds - he'd learned a long time ago that it's better to keep some things private, even from those who would be pleased simply to see his progress. Moreover, he and Arthur aren't always in agreement on what's important to work on.
Still. Here they are. And he doesn't want to be here forever.
"I'll try." There might not be a lot of conviction to his words, but that's a lot more honest than his tone would've been if he had no intention of trying.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
timeasmymeasure
no subject
Date: 2023-08-23 01:31 am (UTC)After all, while the biographies of Gladstone had included challenges faced and then overcome through might of arms and the persuasive words of a man who everyone knew would properly rule the empire, he was well aware of the ultimate outcome. Gladstone is famous for his supreme energy and his implacable defiance when the chips were down. He had never given up his cause, even when things looked bad. He had never let anyone insult his honor, or that of his friends. He was powerful and prepared to challenge anyone who wronged him.
Yes, those traits are all admirable in and of themselves, but if Gladstone had failed and gotten lost to history, well, there's a reason he would have been forgotten.
On more personal grounds - he'd learned a long time ago that it's better to keep some things private, even from those who would be pleased simply to see his progress. Moreover, he and Arthur aren't always in agreement on what's important to work on.
Still. Here they are. And he doesn't want to be here forever.
"I'll try." There might not be a lot of conviction to his words, but that's a lot more honest than his tone would've been if he had no intention of trying.