In the end many great acts were doubly selfish ones. No one person was wholly altruistic, selfless, or anything else. People, whether it human or otherwise, were often complex. Nuanced. Measured in how history remembers them. Measured in how those who matter think of them and the legacy they leave behind.
This topic now, though, he needs to think of how to address it. Then decides quickly his standard is best. He frank. Be forward. Rip the bandaid off, so to speak. "Counter to popular belief I'm not that oblivious." He takes some time calculating his words properly, even still. Eyes find the other man, watches his body language for a few moments. A sigh, slowly rolling up to walk through the process of his thoughts as he speaks. Slow pace. Thoughtful.
"So I'll be blunt. My lack of marriage, of children, had nothing to do with being too dedicated or preoccupied with work or business. I've never wanted it." He's not unaware of how some people looked at him or thought of him. "I didn't marry for politics because I'm not interested in pretending for the sake of image." Tobirama stops, a heavy sigh. Arms cross. "I know that I'm... different. I've been like this my entire life."
A few more moments and he walks to pick up the last of his tea. "No need to speak to Mito if you wish to, anyway. I need to have a discussion with her about this. Why she thought airing out my business to the public was something of a good idea, I'll never know." Though she did predict that he'd dig his heels in so at least she knew the consequences of it, he supposed.
no subject
This topic now, though, he needs to think of how to address it. Then decides quickly his standard is best. He frank. Be forward. Rip the bandaid off, so to speak. "Counter to popular belief I'm not that oblivious." He takes some time calculating his words properly, even still. Eyes find the other man, watches his body language for a few moments. A sigh, slowly rolling up to walk through the process of his thoughts as he speaks. Slow pace. Thoughtful.
"So I'll be blunt. My lack of marriage, of children, had nothing to do with being too dedicated or preoccupied with work or business. I've never wanted it." He's not unaware of how some people looked at him or thought of him. "I didn't marry for politics because I'm not interested in pretending for the sake of image." Tobirama stops, a heavy sigh. Arms cross. "I know that I'm... different. I've been like this my entire life."
A few more moments and he walks to pick up the last of his tea. "No need to speak to Mito if you wish to, anyway. I need to have a discussion with her about this. Why she thought airing out my business to the public was something of a good idea, I'll never know." Though she did predict that he'd dig his heels in so at least she knew the consequences of it, he supposed.