[ Emet-Selch simmers between some deep buried anger within him and his strong feelings of love and protectiveness toward his kin. Yes, no one can possibly understand all that he has been through for them, all that he would continue to go through if he had the chance. It is absolutely not fair that they still lost despite all this, but at least if he can get someone like Hermes to remember, that takes some of the sting away. ]

Good.

[ He settles back a little, still tired but also more satisfied than when this conversation began. ]

I've already told you, you don't believe in your own worth. But while you have always been worthy to me as a keeper of our star and a fellow member of the Convocation of Fourteen ... now I know with certainty as a friend, as well.

[ Despite everything, in fact, which really only makes it all hurt more if one thinks too deeply about it. So he won't. Not right now, at least. ]