Of course, there are pros and cons to what they're both doing. Insu's path is more openly dangerous. He's the face of the rebellion. He's not the only member of their resistance that's given up everything for it. Many have abandoned the lives set out for them, their blood kin for this. Esen just happened to have the (mis)fortune of a very influential father who was able to move his family into a higher social sphere. MAybe that's why his mother approves whole-heartedly of his involvement with the rebellion: she saw how hard it was to make that move, saw the disgrace her late husband faced for marrying below his station, saw how much harder her children had to work to be accepted.
The life Esen has on Geden is a lie. Outside of his mother's kitchen, everything is a lie. His so-called friends and peers, all so small-minded, so content with the world because it isn't as hard for them to live as others. He steals from the very plutocrats who invite him to dine at their tables. They think buttering up to him will somehow make them richer, more comfortable. It's a dance.
It's a sword dance. One slip, on single misstep and it's Esen left bleeding.
It's a dance he does enthusiastically for the sake of the better future he and Insu and a handful of others dream of. Even if it's a future they will never benefit from. That's no reason to stop. Geden is how it is because of people selfishly settling because things are good or okay for them. They ignore the suffering and struggle of others because their lives are alright.
"It's a game," he admits quietly. "Talking to people so wholly unrelated to what we're doing, it's like a masquerade." All said flatly, without craning his head to try to look at his friend. Esen hates that so much of his life is a carefully crafted lie. Shifting to turn and face Insu, he finally gives him a warm, genuine smile. "You can tell them about the places you been and the things you've seen on your travels. Treat it like you've been traveling for holiday or education. Leave out the whys of it and stick to the wheres."
no subject
The life Esen has on Geden is a lie. Outside of his mother's kitchen, everything is a lie. His so-called friends and peers, all so small-minded, so content with the world because it isn't as hard for them to live as others. He steals from the very plutocrats who invite him to dine at their tables. They think buttering up to him will somehow make them richer, more comfortable. It's a dance.
It's a sword dance. One slip, on single misstep and it's Esen left bleeding.
It's a dance he does enthusiastically for the sake of the better future he and Insu and a handful of others dream of. Even if it's a future they will never benefit from. That's no reason to stop. Geden is how it is because of people selfishly settling because things are good or okay for them. They ignore the suffering and struggle of others because their lives are alright.
"It's a game," he admits quietly. "Talking to people so wholly unrelated to what we're doing, it's like a masquerade." All said flatly, without craning his head to try to look at his friend. Esen hates that so much of his life is a carefully crafted lie. Shifting to turn and face Insu, he finally gives him a warm, genuine smile. "You can tell them about the places you been and the things you've seen on your travels. Treat it like you've been traveling for holiday or education. Leave out the whys of it and stick to the wheres."