"Cort would have us know every stone in this city and every weapon in the training room," Alain says quietly. "Cort would have us know every Avox and Tribute, if he could. Whether we fought for this place or against it. But Cort isn't here." Nor would he survive it, he thinks grimly. Cort was a sharp man, and a subtle one at times, but it would be the wrong kind of subtlety for this place. In a way, that makes him glad that Cort isn't here, though he misses his old teacher's guidance. To see him die again, or worse, would break both their hearts.
It's an uncomfortable subject. But it does draw things away from Jason for the moment. Alain falls silent, staring out at the city and smoking thoughtfully as he considers how to explain his feelings about Jason without sounding too traitorous to listening ears. At last, still looking at the flashing billboard on one of the high-rise buildings, he says thoughtfully, "As for Jason, he reminds me of an old friend of ours. Jonas."
Partly, he says that as the easiest way to get across to Roland how deep his loathing is without saying it straight. But also, he's realising more and more how true that is. Jason has that same self-pitying sense of injustice, the same sudden fierce rage and the same blindness that comes along with it, the same disdain and carelessness over people. Attuned as he always was to ka, Alain can't help wondering if it's a coincidence that even their names are similar: Jonas and Jason, barely a breath from one another.
Is Jason Compson as dangerous as Eldred Jonas? Alain isn't sure of that, but he's unwilling to underestimate a man like that. He's never felt Jason's mind, but he knows what he'd find if he did; that tight directionless anger that feels like sticking your hand into a hornet's nest. Alain is honest enough with himself to admit that Jason's dangerous attitude isn't why he hates him so much (look rather to his introduction to the man), but it's undeniable nonetheless. Jason is a ticking grenade, and one day, all that anger and self-pity will destroy not only him, but the rest of them forced into his presence.
YOU CAN'T HANDLE THE TRUTH
It's an uncomfortable subject. But it does draw things away from Jason for the moment. Alain falls silent, staring out at the city and smoking thoughtfully as he considers how to explain his feelings about Jason without sounding too traitorous to listening ears. At last, still looking at the flashing billboard on one of the high-rise buildings, he says thoughtfully, "As for Jason, he reminds me of an old friend of ours. Jonas."
Partly, he says that as the easiest way to get across to Roland how deep his loathing is without saying it straight. But also, he's realising more and more how true that is. Jason has that same self-pitying sense of injustice, the same sudden fierce rage and the same blindness that comes along with it, the same disdain and carelessness over people. Attuned as he always was to ka, Alain can't help wondering if it's a coincidence that even their names are similar: Jonas and Jason, barely a breath from one another.
Is Jason Compson as dangerous as Eldred Jonas? Alain isn't sure of that, but he's unwilling to underestimate a man like that. He's never felt Jason's mind, but he knows what he'd find if he did; that tight directionless anger that feels like sticking your hand into a hornet's nest. Alain is honest enough with himself to admit that Jason's dangerous attitude isn't why he hates him so much (look rather to his introduction to the man), but it's undeniable nonetheless. Jason is a ticking grenade, and one day, all that anger and self-pity will destroy not only him, but the rest of them forced into his presence.