[Keith stares wide-eyed and silent through Agnes' explanation. When she's finished he takes his time putting together a reply before trying to speak. He needs to do this right.
He can't agree with her belief that people are at their heart cruel and petty - they may be capable of selfish actions but given the chance almost everyone will help someone in need. But that's not really the point here.
The idea that it was difficult for Ms Agnes to rise to her role of producer of HeroTV not just because it was a competitive field but because some people might not think she could do it solely because she was a woman wasn't something that had ever occurred to him. NEXT powers didn't discriminate and so (he assumed) such things didn't affect who became a hero. It's, fairly obviously, not something he's ever had to deal with.
It's also near impossible to imagine someone suggesting Ms Agnes is anything less than terrifyingly capable.]
I'm sorry. I didn't mean to suggest-
[He stops, tries again-]
I didn't know that it had been so hard for you. I'm sorry. It shouldn't be like that.
[His other hand comes up to cup hers between his own, thumb rubbing over the back of her hand in a vague attempt to relax her.]
I don't think anyone else could've made HeroTV as successful as it is. You are amazing and talented and as much a hero of this city as me or any of the others and anyone who thinks otherwise is wrong. But I worry about you pushing yourself too hard. Not because you're a woman but because you're always working so hard and I think you take care of everyone but yourself.
I won't- I can't make you do anything you don't want to but please, would you at least let me support you however I can? Even if it's just little things this- [he gestures at the food forgotten on the table] so you don't have to do everything yourself. I wouldn't think any less of you for it.
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He can't agree with her belief that people are at their heart cruel and petty - they may be capable of selfish actions but given the chance almost everyone will help someone in need. But that's not really the point here.
The idea that it was difficult for Ms Agnes to rise to her role of producer of HeroTV not just because it was a competitive field but because some people might not think she could do it solely because she was a woman wasn't something that had ever occurred to him. NEXT powers didn't discriminate and so (he assumed) such things didn't affect who became a hero. It's, fairly obviously, not something he's ever had to deal with.
It's also near impossible to imagine someone suggesting Ms Agnes is anything less than terrifyingly capable.]
I'm sorry. I didn't mean to suggest-
[He stops, tries again-]
I didn't know that it had been so hard for you. I'm sorry. It shouldn't be like that.
[His other hand comes up to cup hers between his own, thumb rubbing over the back of her hand in a vague attempt to relax her.]
I don't think anyone else could've made HeroTV as successful as it is. You are amazing and talented and as much a hero of this city as me or any of the others and anyone who thinks otherwise is wrong. But I worry about you pushing yourself too hard. Not because you're a woman but because you're always working so hard and I think you take care of everyone but yourself.
I won't- I can't make you do anything you don't want to but please, would you at least let me support you however I can? Even if it's just little things this- [he gestures at the food forgotten on the table] so you don't have to do everything yourself. I wouldn't think any less of you for it.