[ Ford is by no means a socially savvy person, but give him enough time around the same person and even he'll start to pick up on the subtleties. Ozpin hasn't given Ford any reason to not trust him, so he's not upset to have spent an evening in close quarters with James and sees no reason to believe that Ozpin is wrong about him not being someone to worry about.
Still, there's a good deal of alarming information in Ozpin's explanation. I do not consider him an enemy here in particular brings the phrase 'damning with faint praise' to mind, but drastic moments of tunnel vision and not insubstantial difficulty aren't exactly reassuring to hear, either.
But there's one little word that grabs Ford's attention more than the rest. ]
[ He cannot fault Stanford for the caution, but there is another thoughtful delay before Ozpin responds. He has no interest in explaining the timeline discrepancies, fascinating though he's sure Stanford would find them. ]
Our relationship back on Remnant is rather nuanced. You will recall that we are in the midst of a war, and the other side seeks to divide our forces. Very successfully, as of late.
[ It is, once again, not reassuring to hear that - but Ford knows what it's like to have to work alongside someone you don't trust, particularly someone that may have been trusted in the past. The war is, of course, and added complication that Ford will be the first to admit he doesn't have all the context for - but the context he does have tells him plenty. ]
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Still, there's a good deal of alarming information in Ozpin's explanation. I do not consider him an enemy here in particular brings the phrase 'damning with faint praise' to mind, but drastic moments of tunnel vision and not insubstantial difficulty aren't exactly reassuring to hear, either.
But there's one little word that grabs Ford's attention more than the rest. ]
You don't consider him an enemy here?
no subject
Our relationship back on Remnant is rather nuanced. You will recall that we are in the midst of a war, and the other side seeks to divide our forces. Very successfully, as of late.
no subject
Understood. I'll be careful.
And avoid inviting him to anything unnecessarily.
no subject
On the contrary, I would like to foster a stronger relationship here than could have been possible back on Remnant.
I don't want to see those same divisions play out again.
Simply know that it is best to tread carefully around discussion of the situation at home.
[ A beat, and then: ]
Thank you for understanding, Stanford.