[ He knows the kind of impact this would have on Inigo, but he can't help but express the truth. There was no way around it, but he had a point to make here, so Roland continues on after a slight pause. ]
Every time I came home crying, I would look at my mom's face and see how hurt she was. It killed me, watching her suffer like that.
[ He closes his eyes. Decades have passed and still it all remains clear. It was an integral part of his development, well into adulthood he keeps it as a reminder that bullying would never be tolerated now that he's earned power. He hopes that even in some way, he could do the same for Inigo - grant him the strength to at least, try. When he opens his eyes now, he makes sure to catch Inigo's eye, an ember of determination thrown his way. ]
I'd like to think my mom wasn't any different than any other parent or guardian out there. If they knew their kid was being bullied, being made to believe that they were less of a person than others were...it just isn't right. [ He doesn't have to be too explicit. He assumes with the way he's speaking, and the words he's choosing, Roland knows Inigo is getting at the real meaning. It's not even about Roland being his adopted father on the train; but more of the one person Inigo cares about the most. If Olivia knew about the things he's convinced himself he was, exacerbated by Reno's excessive picking, what would she say? She would be heartbroken, and Roland didn't even need to meet her in person to know that. ]
Just something to think about, for when it gets tough up in here. [ He offers a quiet smile, taps the side of his temple twice. It's not at all meant to be a solution, but a gentle offering, a way out if it works. ] It's pretty hard to talk yourself down and believe bullies when you've got the invincible power of your mom by your side, right? [ And boy, his mom sure was. Olivia too; by degree of having a son who cared so much about others. She had to have been. ]
no subject
Every time I came home crying, I would look at my mom's face and see how hurt she was. It killed me, watching her suffer like that.
[ He closes his eyes. Decades have passed and still it all remains clear. It was an integral part of his development, well into adulthood he keeps it as a reminder that bullying would never be tolerated now that he's earned power. He hopes that even in some way, he could do the same for Inigo - grant him the strength to at least, try. When he opens his eyes now, he makes sure to catch Inigo's eye, an ember of determination thrown his way. ]
I'd like to think my mom wasn't any different than any other parent or guardian out there. If they knew their kid was being bullied, being made to believe that they were less of a person than others were...it just isn't right. [ He doesn't have to be too explicit. He assumes with the way he's speaking, and the words he's choosing, Roland knows Inigo is getting at the real meaning. It's not even about Roland being his adopted father on the train; but more of the one person Inigo cares about the most. If Olivia knew about the things he's convinced himself he was, exacerbated by Reno's excessive picking, what would she say? She would be heartbroken, and Roland didn't even need to meet her in person to know that. ]
Just something to think about, for when it gets tough up in here. [ He offers a quiet smile, taps the side of his temple twice. It's not at all meant to be a solution, but a gentle offering, a way out if it works. ] It's pretty hard to talk yourself down and believe bullies when you've got the invincible power of your mom by your side, right? [ And boy, his mom sure was. Olivia too; by degree of having a son who cared so much about others. She had to have been. ]