[It's confusing, but he can't show it. He still knows nothing of this man and in the end that's what the mission failure laid on- the fucking poor thought put behind the assembled team. In extension, the poor thought and action of said team, of the ones who could have done better, of the one who had trained and known and just. Hadn't. But despite appearances. the boy's no senseless masochist.

His eyes drift from Steven's own to quickly read what he can of the man's body language.

None of it told him he was feigning sincerity. It was confusing, and Neji didn't grip the outstretched hand until his own final warning,] You had every right, Mr. Steven.

['Had'. Neji isn't sure he does right by taking the gloved hand and giving a short but firm shake. He does it anyway. Gods, he didn't know a damn thing anymore but that didn't mean he had to broadcast himself as the fool.

Alright. Well. Pax. What followed? He didn't even have the right to ask for the fates of the others and he wouldn't intrude on Steven's.] My apologies can't suffice for the risk I put the team through and so I won't apologize. I could excuse my actions but it would likewise do no good. [To hell with this--] Are you well?