"if this is simply a matter of satisfying your curiosity, i'm afraid i must refuse." @pandektes says from behind him. together, they return to the same well-trodden path, an air of insufferable intrigue: questions met with evasion, sincerity with deflection.
"then refuse. i assure you, i am quite accustomed to it." the exarch does not turn away from the panoramic window as he speaks. "you have always preferred observation to participation, after all. it grants one the luxury of judgment without the inconvenience of vulnerability. from that distance, everyone else's motives are easy to pick apart." he smiles wryly. it bleeds into his voice. "yet the moment someone attempts the same with you, the shutters come down and the conversation ends." there lies the heart of it, perhaps. emet-selch remains detached from everyone around him, then wonders why none can meet him where he stands.
"how unfortunate. i was beginning to think you might finally allow yourself the indignity of being known."