[That's a frustrating response, because it's too simple; he can't get anything about how Ephemera is actually reacting to all of that, other than that he isn't arguing. That itself is, at least, a relief, because Lance had been subconsciously bracing for a possible bad reaction, but that's about the only good thing about it.
But he can't tell if Ephemera really understands and agrees, or if he's just saying that to get the conversation over with, or if he's simply refraining from arguing, or anything else. There are a few 'normal' reactions that people usually give; anger, defensiveness, confusion, and horror at themselves are the most common, and every single one is lacking here.
Having little to work with makes this all even more difficult for him to figure out how to proceed, because Lance doesn't do this type of counseling; he doesn't work with people for whom this behavior is an issue, because it's not one he's able to maintain a proper professional distance from. Instead, pretty much everyone Lance deals with who's showing this pattern is something he's taking very quiet satisfaction in helping Booth put in jail, for whatever crime they've--unsurprisingly--committed. He's well aware he is not the best person to be working with Ephemera on this, for either of them.
But, again, he's also aware he's the only option, and stepping back and doing nothing is going to make things get worse. So, after a moment, he gives his own very simple response.]
Okay.
[He repeats it, not as a statement, but not exactly as a question either; he's just clearly expecting Ephemera to say more than that.]
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timeasmymeasure
no subject
Date: 2017-11-02 07:46 pm (UTC)But he can't tell if Ephemera really understands and agrees, or if he's just saying that to get the conversation over with, or if he's simply refraining from arguing, or anything else. There are a few 'normal' reactions that people usually give; anger, defensiveness, confusion, and horror at themselves are the most common, and every single one is lacking here.
Having little to work with makes this all even more difficult for him to figure out how to proceed, because Lance doesn't do this type of counseling; he doesn't work with people for whom this behavior is an issue, because it's not one he's able to maintain a proper professional distance from. Instead, pretty much everyone Lance deals with who's showing this pattern is something he's taking very quiet satisfaction in helping Booth put in jail, for whatever crime they've--unsurprisingly--committed. He's well aware he is not the best person to be working with Ephemera on this, for either of them.
But, again, he's also aware he's the only option, and stepping back and doing nothing is going to make things get worse. So, after a moment, he gives his own very simple response.]
Okay.
[He repeats it, not as a statement, but not exactly as a question either; he's just clearly expecting Ephemera to say more than that.]