Estinien notices the shift in demeanour, and while he isn't afraid, he finds himself disappointed. Disappointed in what exactly, he's not sure. Two for two, his attempts at reaching out in uncomfortable circumstances have failed, and at this point, he's not even sure what he's doing wrong. Much like with Eponine, it feels like staring down a pit that he can't possibly hope to perceive the bottom of.

Ironic, perhaps, that if he'd had this same conversation a few years ago, he might have been free of the oaths and hopes that are apparently anathema in this context. For all he's wondered about his worth, about his understanding of the world, following the ideals of people like Aymeric and Alphinaud seemed like that the one thing that was an objective improvement.

Yet, right now, it's completely biting him in the ass, and he isn't even sure why. Would Geralt rather he potentially attack and kill someone dear to him without even trying to broker peace? Is it really just a case of either forsaking his objectives or starting a feud, with no room for mediation?

Why did you even bother? This isn't for you.

It's so tempting to just let it take him, the wave of anger and despair he feels. Thankfully, most of this doesn't show on the surface. Though his frustration comes through in his eyes, it's followed by a biting sharpness to match Geralt's frozen calm. Geralt's words are so condescending, to him. So arrogant. As if this Witcher thinks he knows all there is to know of the world. Of all worlds.

"Truthfully," he says, "I found the killing easiest when it was just for me. Just because I wanted to." There was no greater satisfaction than to fell one of his hated enemies. No more perfect simplicity than a long march towards revenge.

"Having hopes? Ideals? They only get in the way of it."