[Well, at least the first reason wasn't Tony. Carlisle can imagine his betrayal would have been even more crushing, were that the case. He's reminded immediately of the lad who was his sidekick, someone who trusted him with his entire life—
To be let down by one's heroes is its own brand of suffering. Carlisle knows that well enough. What's unexpected is what Tony left behind — something he himself seemed to abandon. Hope is an immeasurably strong force, one seemingly able to change the world all on its lonesome. Carlisle's entire life has been hinged on the hope he held: hope that his goddess would forgive him for accursed existence, hope his uncles would return after their long absence, hope he could live up to his family name despite every aspect of his life that said otherwise. Even now, there is an element of hope in his unlife — the hope that he can someday, somehow make amends for what happened to his home.
It is that hope — and the guilt, of course — that keeps him moving, even more than the magic that animates him. He wonders just how much of it motivates Qubit, too.
For a moment, he believes he understands why Qubit was so drawn to Tony: what he left in his wake was much the same as his uncles. That's what the Longinmouths offered to people — not just protection or guidance, but the hope for something better, for a brighter future. They changed the world wherever they went in ways both big and small, grand and personal.]
Do you believe that will remain, after what happened? After what he did?
no subject
To be let down by one's heroes is its own brand of suffering. Carlisle knows that well enough. What's unexpected is what Tony left behind — something he himself seemed to abandon. Hope is an immeasurably strong force, one seemingly able to change the world all on its lonesome. Carlisle's entire life has been hinged on the hope he held: hope that his goddess would forgive him for accursed existence, hope his uncles would return after their long absence, hope he could live up to his family name despite every aspect of his life that said otherwise. Even now, there is an element of hope in his unlife — the hope that he can someday, somehow make amends for what happened to his home.
It is that hope — and the guilt, of course — that keeps him moving, even more than the magic that animates him. He wonders just how much of it motivates Qubit, too.
For a moment, he believes he understands why Qubit was so drawn to Tony: what he left in his wake was much the same as his uncles. That's what the Longinmouths offered to people — not just protection or guidance, but the hope for something better, for a brighter future. They changed the world wherever they went in ways both big and small, grand and personal.]
Do you believe that will remain, after what happened? After what he did?