The regret is worth more than enough. James nods, appreciating the sentiment itself--he'd already gotten the impression Raju felt bad about what happened, but it's good to know for sure--and even more so that he chooses to express it. Likewise, James is trying to get a better sense of this person Francis clearly cares so much for, and this forms a part of that picture.
"I have had far worse than being almost shot." James means it, but his tone is light with the inherent ridiculousness of the statement--particularly so soon after mentioning he'd died, which considering Raju's apparent lack of surprise he likely did already know--and any lingering animosity faded at this point. He's still none too pleased about the incident itself, for various reasons and respects, but he can acknowledge that this was likely an unusual reaction rather than how Raju typically handles things. Unless given reason to believe otherwise later on, he can let it go for now.
He's quiet a moment at the question, thinking back to the few short months he and Francis had shared as friends. By the time they'd truly put everything aside and become a team, the situation had become dire; James was already dying, they had already lost a number of their crew and nearly all their doctors, many of the men were already sick, their supplies had already dwindled. It was one constant struggle after another. They'd had very little reason to cheer up.
But there had been moments. In the midst of everything, they'd all still had brief moments of joy, and laughter, and exasperated but clearly amused looks. Despite the horror of it all, it hadn't always been bad.
"Yes, sometimes." James says, remembering a part of the conversation he and Francis had shared while returning from Victory Point, when James had talked about declaring himself the best walker in the service. "Distraction does work, whether it's talk or action. Of course, one does still run the risk of simply making things worse, as you witnessed."
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"I have had far worse than being almost shot." James means it, but his tone is light with the inherent ridiculousness of the statement--particularly so soon after mentioning he'd died, which considering Raju's apparent lack of surprise he likely did already know--and any lingering animosity faded at this point. He's still none too pleased about the incident itself, for various reasons and respects, but he can acknowledge that this was likely an unusual reaction rather than how Raju typically handles things. Unless given reason to believe otherwise later on, he can let it go for now.
He's quiet a moment at the question, thinking back to the few short months he and Francis had shared as friends. By the time they'd truly put everything aside and become a team, the situation had become dire; James was already dying, they had already lost a number of their crew and nearly all their doctors, many of the men were already sick, their supplies had already dwindled. It was one constant struggle after another. They'd had very little reason to cheer up.
But there had been moments. In the midst of everything, they'd all still had brief moments of joy, and laughter, and exasperated but clearly amused looks. Despite the horror of it all, it hadn't always been bad.
"Yes, sometimes." James says, remembering a part of the conversation he and Francis had shared while returning from Victory Point, when James had talked about declaring himself the best walker in the service. "Distraction does work, whether it's talk or action. Of course, one does still run the risk of simply making things worse, as you witnessed."