They won't care, Cassius. They won't care that they're only killing bad people. That's now how people work, here.
Hugh says none of this. It isn't pertinent at the moment, and besides that, he doesn't... want to. Want to explain to Cassius that the people on the Protogonos aren't - always the best. Are not always so rigorously moral. That out of most of the higher-ups, a few casualties here and there is acceptable. That Hugh thinks that himself, genuinely. Not active malice, but... acceptable apathy.
(Does that make him a bad person? A huntable person? He hopes not. It probably does.)
Do not flee from them. The chase is a dangerous thing.
He knows how appetizing fleeing prey can be. Has been with plenty of people who had those same tastes.
"Don't run, then. Just - let them pick up your... scent? Presence." Hugh nods, going to set his hand on Cassius' shoulder - and thinking otherwise, swapping to the hand without the maggot. This little fellow is going to have to go somewhere else - in his pocket, perhaps, or tucked somewhere warm that doesn't squash. With that free hand, he gives Cassius' shoulder a reassuring squeeze. "Understood. I'll have your Hunter back to you in no time at all, Cassius. Back before dinner, so to speak."
A beat. Lingering, almost regretful.
"...I'll have to leave, soon. This ship - I'm the only one who knows how to keep it in one piece, you know. Been getting some mildly disastrous reports out of some very important parts of it I'll need to attend to tonight. Today. Whenever it is." Softer, now. "Will you be alright without me for a bit? They won't touch you, believe me. Too afraid of you for that, I wager."
no subject
Hugh says none of this. It isn't pertinent at the moment, and besides that, he doesn't... want to. Want to explain to Cassius that the people on the Protogonos aren't - always the best. Are not always so rigorously moral. That out of most of the higher-ups, a few casualties here and there is acceptable. That Hugh thinks that himself, genuinely. Not active malice, but... acceptable apathy.
(Does that make him a bad person? A huntable person? He hopes not. It probably does.)
Do not flee from them. The chase is a dangerous thing.
He knows how appetizing fleeing prey can be. Has been with plenty of people who had those same tastes.
"Don't run, then. Just - let them pick up your... scent? Presence." Hugh nods, going to set his hand on Cassius' shoulder - and thinking otherwise, swapping to the hand without the maggot. This little fellow is going to have to go somewhere else - in his pocket, perhaps, or tucked somewhere warm that doesn't squash. With that free hand, he gives Cassius' shoulder a reassuring squeeze. "Understood. I'll have your Hunter back to you in no time at all, Cassius. Back before dinner, so to speak."
A beat. Lingering, almost regretful.
"...I'll have to leave, soon. This ship - I'm the only one who knows how to keep it in one piece, you know. Been getting some mildly disastrous reports out of some very important parts of it I'll need to attend to tonight. Today. Whenever it is." Softer, now. "Will you be alright without me for a bit? They won't touch you, believe me. Too afraid of you for that, I wager."