[ Ben can immediately tell that Kieran is uncomfortable with the question. The change is so clear, in the way he's holding himself, the way he starts to stutter and stumble over his words. At first he isn't sure why. Perhaps Kieran is self-conscious, thinking it's a profession Ben would look down on? He doesn't know a lot about history, but it seems like the sort of job where people might not respect Kieran much because they see it as menial work. Ben almost interrupts him, to reassure him that he thinks it is important and skillful work, to say how admirable it is he found his way in the world after his parents passed.
But Ben's not really the interrupting type. So he is silent, waiting for Kieran to finish. And gradually it becomes clear to him, where that discomfort is coming from.
The actual revelation itself comes as a surprise. Kieran has struck him so far as such a gentle and nervous person. Ben knows, of course, that criminals come in all shapes and sizes, but he honestly just... didn't see it coming in this case. His surprise is clear, from the way his eyebrows raise, the quiet way he sets down his fork before taking a bite.
Gangs. Did that mean the same thing in Kieran's time, that it did in Ben's? He isn't afraid - that much is clear. Ben is perfectly capable of protecting himself. But he does seem uncomfortable. He's thinking about just how many robbers and murderers he had, himself, killed, when he was in the Academy. ]
...Oh.
[ No point in pretending he isn't surprised. That moment's passed; he hadn't found his poker face fast enough and now they're here. Ben looks over at Kieran, the shocked look on his face shifting into concern, and unease. ]
That's. I... wasn't expecting that. You don't... seem much like the other criminals I've met. How... did that happen, exactly?
[ He could be wrong, but just based on what Kieran's already told him about his life, and the way he acts, and the tone of his voice now as he's talking about this, Ben doesn't think it was his first choice. Maybe he hadn't had other options? Ben knows how circumstances can force people onto all kinds of paths. ]
no subject
But Ben's not really the interrupting type. So he is silent, waiting for Kieran to finish. And gradually it becomes clear to him, where that discomfort is coming from.
The actual revelation itself comes as a surprise. Kieran has struck him so far as such a gentle and nervous person. Ben knows, of course, that criminals come in all shapes and sizes, but he honestly just... didn't see it coming in this case. His surprise is clear, from the way his eyebrows raise, the quiet way he sets down his fork before taking a bite.
Gangs. Did that mean the same thing in Kieran's time, that it did in Ben's? He isn't afraid - that much is clear. Ben is perfectly capable of protecting himself. But he does seem uncomfortable. He's thinking about just how many robbers and murderers he had, himself, killed, when he was in the Academy. ]
...Oh.
[ No point in pretending he isn't surprised. That moment's passed; he hadn't found his poker face fast enough and now they're here. Ben looks over at Kieran, the shocked look on his face shifting into concern, and unease. ]
That's. I... wasn't expecting that. You don't... seem much like the other criminals I've met. How... did that happen, exactly?
[ He could be wrong, but just based on what Kieran's already told him about his life, and the way he acts, and the tone of his voice now as he's talking about this, Ben doesn't think it was his first choice. Maybe he hadn't had other options? Ben knows how circumstances can force people onto all kinds of paths. ]