[Ethan smiles, despite himself, when Falco speaks. Someone will need to talk to -51, and he's... uniquely unqualified to have that conversation, after all this. Still, it... bothers him a little.

It's not that he has any lack of faith in Falco's abilities - this is distinctly a personal feeling. If it weren't so important, and if Falco wasn't the only one who knew the actual value of what he was doing 'wrong', maybe he would have left him aside. It wouldn't have been fair, but it would have been less painful.

There's nothing good, after all, about shielding someone from the heaviness of the world at every turn. He suspects that Falco's seen enough of it already.]

{It'll be good, I think. You talking to him. I'm not sure when I'll be... able to, given all this.}

[Given the betrayal. He's not sure it'll actually be forgiven.

His lips purse as Falco paces, considering the words. Bring him to him... maybe it'd be good. Maybe he should get the conversation over and done with. At the same time...

He should probably let Connor get his bearings. Figure things out, especially if Falco explains. He'd be angry, wouldn't he? If this, this desperate try to do what he thinks is best, was thwarted so, and by someone he trusted...

It hurts to think about, so he doesn't.]

{That's alright. I'll... get to talk to him eventually. I'm not mad, either. I would have hesitated a lot less in doing this, if it was... someone else. Someone threatening me, my people.}

[He can still see the blood, if he closes his eyes. Hear the sounds, the sobs. His fingers curl.]

{I don't think we'll be able to. It's... I'm going to release him from it.} [... No. He should be realistic. Sugar-coating it isn't worth anything.] {I told him I would take care of it. So, if it's half as bad as it sounded... I'll kill him to make it stop. It's what has to be done, in that case.}