[If the mist hadn't evaporated from Archie's feelings, they would have from Nanu's. His side of the bench is uncomfortably warm, as if heating up. Yet at the same time, small puddles subtly form on the ground within a few feet of him; from the bottom-up, as if it were raining. The water is cloudy and muggy, much like how he feels about the entire situation.]
[Any immediate response is silenced when he hears Archie tell another part of his own story. He doesn't interrupt, only nods when asked about seeing the event in the news. (In truth, he'd known via his job, because it had been near the same time as Team Rocket's nonsense. It kind of clues him in to the time difference between them.) But he doesn't seem surprised by what the initial plan was supposed to be, even scoffing and shaking his head when Archie glances over.]
Well, we wouldn't have had to clean it up.
[That's...well, his particular brand of dark humor, except with all of the humor sucked out of it. And as Archie continues, Nanu can put two and two together, reminding him of why he started associating with the pirate in the first place. Leaders of these teams that crop up far too often never feel remorse for what they've done or tried to do. Archie's clearly wracked with guilt every hour of every day, and if it weren't so insulting to say it out loud, Nanu would call it refreshing.]
It's easier when you're at the top, making the decisions that trickle down while you sit behind a desk and read reconnaissance reports. ["You" being figurative here, of course, and not a jab at Archie.] If you ask me? My higher-ups wouldn't have given two shits even if they were there in person. And believe me, I gave them hell. It's all numbers and opportunities to them. I'd sooner have them in her place instead.
no subject
[Any immediate response is silenced when he hears Archie tell another part of his own story. He doesn't interrupt, only nods when asked about seeing the event in the news. (In truth, he'd known via his job, because it had been near the same time as Team Rocket's nonsense. It kind of clues him in to the time difference between them.) But he doesn't seem surprised by what the initial plan was supposed to be, even scoffing and shaking his head when Archie glances over.]
Well, we wouldn't have had to clean it up.
[That's...well, his particular brand of dark humor, except with all of the humor sucked out of it. And as Archie continues, Nanu can put two and two together, reminding him of why he started associating with the pirate in the first place. Leaders of these teams that crop up far too often never feel remorse for what they've done or tried to do. Archie's clearly wracked with guilt every hour of every day, and if it weren't so insulting to say it out loud, Nanu would call it refreshing.]
It's easier when you're at the top, making the decisions that trickle down while you sit behind a desk and read reconnaissance reports. ["You" being figurative here, of course, and not a jab at Archie.] If you ask me? My higher-ups wouldn't have given two shits even if they were there in person. And believe me, I gave them hell. It's all numbers and opportunities to them. I'd sooner have them in her place instead.