[He... Still doesn't fully buy that that's true; no one with any power is ever that selfless, in his experience. But it is interesting to know Maruki holds this particular conviction... Or at the very least, that he's invested in maintaining the facade of possessing it. Elan's not sure which is the truth, but he puts a little pin in it as something to maybe find out.

Having the question posed to him in turn, he answers without missing a beat:]

Of course I would! And I'm not ashamed to admit it. Really, I'd be willing to bet most people would, if push came to shove.

[His frown deepens a moment.]

People like to tell themselves they'd be all virtuous if they were ever granted power, but that pretty much always changes once they actually have it.

[And now he looks back to Maruki, suddenly all smiles once more.]

...Luckily I've never had anything even close to a position of true authority before. [Technically he was the "leader" of Peil house at Asticassia for a brief time, but he was never really the one pulling the strings. That was all "follow company orders if you don't want to get death lasered" all the time.] And I don't have much interest in the responsibility of leading either. I'm just not cut out for the crazed despot lifestyle, I guess.