Hadand trusts Chakotay not to hold her personally accountable for the actions of her people. She does, but a part of her is still braced for him to take this poorly. Not to outright condemn her, both because it would be out of character for him and because she could very convincingly argue the point. Hadand fears instead that it will create a distance between them that has never been there before.
When Chakotay replies with a story rather than an immediately obvious answer, she holds her breath and listens carefully. Hadand looks for the meaning in it, waiting with far less patience than she appears to have. It's true that there are differences in the situations, but those do not negate the parallels Hadand has already pointed out. The betrayals and conflict in her own people's history have never been Marlovan against Iascan but among the Marlovans themselves. The Montredavan-An family comes to mind, rulers until they were deposed by the Montrei-Vayirs. That Chakotay's story focuses on differences rather than similarities fills Hadand with relief in spite of the rush of sympathy for his people. She underestimated Chakotay.
Or perhaps not so much Chakotay as the bond between them. Their friendship is still new. Hadand admits now that she has been viewing it as a far more fragile thing than it truly is. She fears for it because it is so new and because she values it so highly. There is strength there. He clearly reciprocates the regard in which she holds him. It didn't break at this first test, and she would be doing both Chakotay and herself a disservice to believe it will at the next.
"I don't think it was ever intended to be an option," Hadand muses. "I think a large part of it it happened gradually, managed so carefully that the Marlovans didn't realize how much of Iascan culture they were allowing themselves to adopt. I think the Iascans tricked the ones who would have protested." She smiles at that. Hadand can appreciate secret movements for the good of a people, even if those movements were against her own ancestors. After all, some Iascans number among her ancestors as well. That's what they accomplished with their efforts. Never Iascan rulers, but rulers with Iascan words on their lips and at least a few drops of Iascan blood running through their veins.
Hadand has wondered about the tattoo, and knowing it identifies his people leads her to the obvious conclusion. He is the only one of his people aboard the Voyager, just as Hadand is. It suddenly seems like a much greater honor to learn about the traditions of his people, knowing that those traditions are Chakotay's alone among the crew. "Would you tell me about the Sky Spirits later?" she asks.
If she'd care to listen has never been in question for even a second. "Of course. I want to hear it." The way he very clearly expresses a desire to tell her rather than simply a willingness is an important distinction, and it warms Hadand. "About the ship, the crew, or your history and traditions." Chakotay's specifically, as well as those of his people as a whole. "I'll listen to anything you want to share."
no subject
When Chakotay replies with a story rather than an immediately obvious answer, she holds her breath and listens carefully. Hadand looks for the meaning in it, waiting with far less patience than she appears to have. It's true that there are differences in the situations, but those do not negate the parallels Hadand has already pointed out. The betrayals and conflict in her own people's history have never been Marlovan against Iascan but among the Marlovans themselves. The Montredavan-An family comes to mind, rulers until they were deposed by the Montrei-Vayirs. That Chakotay's story focuses on differences rather than similarities fills Hadand with relief in spite of the rush of sympathy for his people. She underestimated Chakotay.
Or perhaps not so much Chakotay as the bond between them. Their friendship is still new. Hadand admits now that she has been viewing it as a far more fragile thing than it truly is. She fears for it because it is so new and because she values it so highly. There is strength there. He clearly reciprocates the regard in which she holds him. It didn't break at this first test, and she would be doing both Chakotay and herself a disservice to believe it will at the next.
"I don't think it was ever intended to be an option," Hadand muses. "I think a large part of it it happened gradually, managed so carefully that the Marlovans didn't realize how much of Iascan culture they were allowing themselves to adopt. I think the Iascans tricked the ones who would have protested." She smiles at that. Hadand can appreciate secret movements for the good of a people, even if those movements were against her own ancestors. After all, some Iascans number among her ancestors as well. That's what they accomplished with their efforts. Never Iascan rulers, but rulers with Iascan words on their lips and at least a few drops of Iascan blood running through their veins.
Hadand has wondered about the tattoo, and knowing it identifies his people leads her to the obvious conclusion. He is the only one of his people aboard the Voyager, just as Hadand is. It suddenly seems like a much greater honor to learn about the traditions of his people, knowing that those traditions are Chakotay's alone among the crew. "Would you tell me about the Sky Spirits later?" she asks.
If she'd care to listen has never been in question for even a second. "Of course. I want to hear it." The way he very clearly expresses a desire to tell her rather than simply a willingness is an important distinction, and it warms Hadand. "About the ship, the crew, or your history and traditions." Chakotay's specifically, as well as those of his people as a whole. "I'll listen to anything you want to share."