If it will only leave them with turmoil and distrust, it is cruel to force what cannot be changed on those who had nothing to do with it. [She thinks of choosing to allow the missiles and the sacrifices that led to, and how the knowledge that she did it would only need to haunt her. And, unfortunately, Clarke.]
A leader must protect their people and do what is best for them. It is their responsibility to take the ugly truth onto themselves, and share the burden only if necessary. If it is possible to give them peace instead of pain, it should be done.
[If her poise and confidence didn't already betray her position, the very personal nature of that statement does. Lexa is a commander to her core, literally born for it, she knows of no other way to be. She understands she is not always right, and she has shared enough with her predecessors to see that they all make choices both bad and good. But it is still what they must do. The command cannot be broken. They can only lead their people forward.
His questions lead her to smile faintly back at him, something rare for her, but she feels as if she is speaking with Clarke or her closest advisors, who knew they could push at her words and engage her mind. Lexa has thought a great deal about these subjects.]
We try to make sense of it. Why did they choose to do it? Would we do the same, for our own people? I do not think these people would go to war again the same way. [She taps her head where she only recently read about the historical elements, the same as him.] Whether these are true records, it still says we did this to survive. And the cost of it was so high that if they learn from it, they will not support a war for lesser reasons. Not when they've known peace since.
[After a beat she inclines her head.] It is not a perfect theory, but neither are any of us. [Herself very much included. She could be wrong about all of this, seeing things only from the perspective as her authority and experience, but she is not pretending to be an expert on this world.
Her eyes slightly narrow at that. It is difficult to fathom but she has no reason to openly doubt him yet.] My name is Lexa. [She does not add her titles or tribe. There is no need here.] You are very wise, Castiel.
no subject
A leader must protect their people and do what is best for them. It is their responsibility to take the ugly truth onto themselves, and share the burden only if necessary. If it is possible to give them peace instead of pain, it should be done.
[If her poise and confidence didn't already betray her position, the very personal nature of that statement does. Lexa is a commander to her core, literally born for it, she knows of no other way to be. She understands she is not always right, and she has shared enough with her predecessors to see that they all make choices both bad and good. But it is still what they must do. The command cannot be broken. They can only lead their people forward.
His questions lead her to smile faintly back at him, something rare for her, but she feels as if she is speaking with Clarke or her closest advisors, who knew they could push at her words and engage her mind. Lexa has thought a great deal about these subjects.]
We try to make sense of it. Why did they choose to do it? Would we do the same, for our own people? I do not think these people would go to war again the same way. [She taps her head where she only recently read about the historical elements, the same as him.] Whether these are true records, it still says we did this to survive. And the cost of it was so high that if they learn from it, they will not support a war for lesser reasons. Not when they've known peace since.
[After a beat she inclines her head.] It is not a perfect theory, but neither are any of us. [Herself very much included. She could be wrong about all of this, seeing things only from the perspective as her authority and experience, but she is not pretending to be an expert on this world.
Her eyes slightly narrow at that. It is difficult to fathom but she has no reason to openly doubt him yet.] My name is Lexa. [She does not add her titles or tribe. There is no need here.] You are very wise, Castiel.