To their faces. And yes, they hated it. But they couldn't do anything about it. The Golden Guard could definitely part a crowd.

[The smile fades, but not to sadness, just to something a little more thoughtful.]

It gets confusing sometimes? That being gone. The authority. Not knowing what I'm supposed to be.

[He raises his eyebrows.]

But it was still a relief. When I realized that's what I am now.

A civilian.

[The word feels strange on his tongue. Heavy. But filled with promise.]

Because I can't change the past, but with civilians, they get to decide who they want to be in the future.

[Earnestly.]

You can have that too now.