Joseph... I grew up in a slum. My mother was a laundress. I've murdered people for revenge. [It's blunt, but it's almost freeing to admit all of that at once.] And yet, I'd still like everyone to see me as a gentleman, and I'd like them to know that I can be kind and generous and everything my family was not. Please know you are not the only one putting on a show. Nor are you the only one who frets that he'll be seen through so easily. I think you might be surprised by the number of people who wear their masks, trying to put out that they're stronger than they are.
The best you can do is keep trying. And fall back on those who would support you and raise you to where you wish to be when you don't quite make it. There's no shame in taking strength from another when you're willing to give it so easily.
[Oh, right. Monty does know exactly how it is, doesn't he? Let it be a testament to how scattered and off-center Joseph is that even something he knows to be true sounds profound and surprising.
He would argue that he shouldn't need to take strength from other people, when it's his duty to be the strength FOR other people. What else is his badge a symbol of? But of course, that would lead the argument right back in on itself, so he'll keep from admitting that out loud just yet.]
[Joseph, you're talking to someone whose main motivation is and has always been 'I will not become that sort of man.'] But they can decide not to become that, especially when others won't let them.
no subject
The best you can do is keep trying. And fall back on those who would support you and raise you to where you wish to be when you don't quite make it. There's no shame in taking strength from another when you're willing to give it so easily.
no subject
He would argue that he shouldn't need to take strength from other people, when it's his duty to be the strength FOR other people. What else is his badge a symbol of? But of course, that would lead the argument right back in on itself, so he'll keep from admitting that out loud just yet.]
I suppose there's nothing else to do.
no subject
no subject
no subject