[ Working off of the little context he knows, it stands to reason he would think the negative associations were strictly related to the way new ideas get treated on the network, and the very particular means by which Lance has been targeted. Nate isn't so stupid as to think there isn't more going on; he knows his friend, knows he probably doesn't tell him half the shit that's actually hitting him hard, but part of maintaining a good friendship with Lance is patience. He'll talk when he's ready.
And apparently, he is.
What hits Nate like a truck is information he might have gleaned once if he pried, but he was too smart then to push deeper knowing Lance's history in the system. It makes him angry. That thick, viscous, irrational anger of temporal impotence in that it's something he can't fix or remedy because it happened decades ago. Anger that has no direction and settles in the clenching of his jaw because there's nothing to be done except absorb it and immediately draw conclusions that Lance doesn't have to point out for him. He already knows. ]
It is not you. [ He says tersely, firmly, insistent. ] This place is just- these people-
[ Nate takes a sharp breath, swallows it down. ]
...It's different from Hadriel. I know you know that already, but it- it's like people seek out conflict for the sake of conflict, or want things to go exactly their way, I mean- at least when people disagreed in Hadriel, they either wouldn't say anything or if they did, we'd all just agree to disagree. It's different here, it's like trying to fight gravity. [ A thin grimace crosses his face. ] Or have a rational conversation with Curufin.
no subject
And apparently, he is.
What hits Nate like a truck is information he might have gleaned once if he pried, but he was too smart then to push deeper knowing Lance's history in the system. It makes him angry. That thick, viscous, irrational anger of temporal impotence in that it's something he can't fix or remedy because it happened decades ago. Anger that has no direction and settles in the clenching of his jaw because there's nothing to be done except absorb it and immediately draw conclusions that Lance doesn't have to point out for him. He already knows. ]
It is not you. [ He says tersely, firmly, insistent. ] This place is just- these people-
[ Nate takes a sharp breath, swallows it down. ]
...It's different from Hadriel. I know you know that already, but it- it's like people seek out conflict for the sake of conflict, or want things to go exactly their way, I mean- at least when people disagreed in Hadriel, they either wouldn't say anything or if they did, we'd all just agree to disagree. It's different here, it's like trying to fight gravity. [ A thin grimace crosses his face. ] Or have a rational conversation with Curufin.