Yes, Ned does know some of those things that have been done, though he's sure there are many more that he hasn't heard of, yet. It wasn't exactly a topic they covered at the Longborough School for Boys. Most of what he knew about history - real history - he'd learned on his own, in those early years of his independence, just listening and talking, spending the spare hours between his jobs reading at the library, where it was so much quieter than the various tiny apartments he'd inhabited.
What River says about Erik having seen that kind of violence chills Ned's blood, briefly. He wants to ask but it's not his place, and perhaps not River's to tell. He knows she'll probably have sensed that flicker of curiosity in him, feels ashamed of it a moment later.
He understands the distinction well, between not thinking people are capable of cruelty and being determined not to allow it. He doesn't doubt that River will be able to hold back any tides of hatred that threaten them, because his belief in her is strong. Especially if she has help from others: from Erik, from Charles, from Daneel, even from himself.
"What?"
Ned hadn't realized that. Of course, he didn't think of it as a secret, per se, isn't mad that River had told Erik. Had this been before or after he'd seen Erik last? It must have been after, he thinks. Erik didn't bring it up. Then again, perhaps that was just him being discreet. He isn't exactly the type to gossip. River's description of him as the most dangerous person they know gives him pause. Automatically, he thinks that no, of course Erik isn't the most dangerous. Charles holds that dubious honor, at least in Ned's mind.
"Echo what now?" Most of the time, by now, he understands River, can follow the sinuous path of her language and logic. But every now and then, he has to stop, has to ask for clarification; now is one of those times.
no subject
What River says about Erik having seen that kind of violence chills Ned's blood, briefly. He wants to ask but it's not his place, and perhaps not River's to tell. He knows she'll probably have sensed that flicker of curiosity in him, feels ashamed of it a moment later.
He understands the distinction well, between not thinking people are capable of cruelty and being determined not to allow it. He doesn't doubt that River will be able to hold back any tides of hatred that threaten them, because his belief in her is strong. Especially if she has help from others: from Erik, from Charles, from Daneel, even from himself.
"What?"
Ned hadn't realized that. Of course, he didn't think of it as a secret, per se, isn't mad that River had told Erik. Had this been before or after he'd seen Erik last? It must have been after, he thinks. Erik didn't bring it up. Then again, perhaps that was just him being discreet. He isn't exactly the type to gossip. River's description of him as the most dangerous person they know gives him pause. Automatically, he thinks that no, of course Erik isn't the most dangerous. Charles holds that dubious honor, at least in Ned's mind.
"Echo what now?" Most of the time, by now, he understands River, can follow the sinuous path of her language and logic. But every now and then, he has to stop, has to ask for clarification; now is one of those times.