thinking about how many people idolized chief in halo, and how they've put and kept him on this untouchable pedestal for so long, framing him as some almost god like weapon. which in turn i can only imagine plays into why he remains so stoic and standoff-ishβor at least tries to in the public face.
if suddenly this spartan and the idea of him they have in their heads were to show fear or sadness, what are the civilians supposed to think? not that their opinion of him would change, i'm talking that they would start feeling ten times more afraid of whatever is managing to make john afraid.
the social aspect of halo has always intrigued me, it's not like these spartans are unknown and especially john, i mean he has toys made of him, he's literally their living legend and their savior, documentaries have been made of him. so for the idea they've made of him to start slipping would be... scary to some if not most. to the people he isn't john, he's the master chief, the symbol, the unsc's greatest war weapon.
that's my take on it i love chief rambling


















