"Using the lens too long will leave you doubting every emotional cue you ever see, with or without it."
His gaze fixed on me with an unsettling intensity.
"You may find yourself analyzing every smile, every tear, every gesture for hidden meaning that may not exist at all. And... trusting someone becomes difficult when you can see the messy, contradictory emotions that drive every interaction."
I accepted the monocle with careful hands, feeling the strange weight of it. It felt cold against my palm, and for a moment, I could swear I saw my own emotions reflected in its surface—curiosity, apprehension, excitement, and... unease(?).
...Another useful monocle, huh.
I stored it in my inventory and turned back to Ossian.
"I understand the risks, Senior," I said, though I wondered whether I truly did, "but given who or what we're facing, the ability to peek into others' true intentions, even imperfectly, is still invaluable. Rest assured, I will use it well."
