[ Martin wants to protest—not Ezio's statement, which Martin knows to be true, but Ezio's dismissal of the entire situation as 'wanting to learn'. 'I do not want to talk. I merely want to spend time around you' is not something you say to someone you wish to learn from. ] I understand. Forgive me for bothering you.
[But it's not a dismissal, not entirely. Ezio knows Martin would not come to him if it were simply a question such as that.]
Martin, do not feel as if any question you ask is a bother. I do not mind. You would not bring this to me unless you felt it was important.
I do not know Connor very well, unfortunately. Every time we have met before this, we have spoken little. Connor acts impulsively, he is not from my time and we are still getting to know each other now.
Do you feel threatened by him at all?
[He asks not because Martin says he was fine, he asks because he's concerned for Martin, and what may be going on under his nose. This is the first time anything like this has been brought to him, and if something needs to be done, he needs to know about it.]
No, I don't feel threatened. [ A man like Connor is a breath of fresh air to the presence of Miraak. ] But I am confused by what he told me: "I do not want to talk. I merely want to spend time around you."
It won't leave my mind. Around me. Not 'with' me, just around me.
[Ezio has to wonder over these set of words as well, and the text takes a few minutes to get back to Martin.]
Have you considered that he wants to be around your presence at all? In Italy, there are times that we spend together as a family and simply sit, watching the sun set over the Colosseo. No words are said, we just enjoy the time as it is.
[ Spending time as a family. It sounds so nice. ] Why would he? [ Martin might be an intelligent person-dragon, but there are concepts beyond his understanding. People wanting to spend time with a melancholic, introverted dragon—for that is Martin's true self, the charming, well-spoken emperor more of a persona he created for the benefit of his realm—is one he has a hard time with. ] I don't understand.
You are a good person, Martin- and more importantly, a good friend. I am not surprised others have taken to you as well.
[It's not him trying to flatter Martin, he's simply telling the truth. What he sees through Martin's words and actions are enough for him to call him that.]
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Martin, do not feel as if any question you ask is a bother. I do not mind. You would not bring this to me unless you felt it was important.
I do not know Connor very well, unfortunately. Every time we have met before this, we have spoken little. Connor acts impulsively, he is not from my time and we are still getting to know each other now.
Do you feel threatened by him at all?
[He asks not because Martin says he was fine, he asks because he's concerned for Martin, and what may be going on under his nose. This is the first time anything like this has been brought to him, and if something needs to be done, he needs to know about it.]
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It won't leave my mind. Around me. Not 'with' me, just around me.
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Have you considered that he wants to be around your presence at all? In Italy, there are times that we spend together as a family and simply sit, watching the sun set over the Colosseo. No words are said, we just enjoy the time as it is.
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[It's not him trying to flatter Martin, he's simply telling the truth. What he sees through Martin's words and actions are enough for him to call him that.]