Been thinking about Justine here, and how I wanted to make her more sympathetic.
Justine is...not exactly the nicest person around. She is secretly a Lightbringer of the Whispers, and she got there thanks to her network, influence, and willingness to skirt the laws without making it too obvious for anyone wanting to see her downfall. Ultimately, her point of view grew accustomed to pragmatic stance, using whatever means at hand to achieve her goals, even if it means getting her hands dirty.
This isn't to say she's an evil boss of a spy organization, though: while she will still most likely prioritize her status quo and well-being first and foremost, the role assigned to her, namely being the mother supervisor of various younger agents has mellowed out her harder exterior by an extent, now (begrudgingly) taking responsibility in ensuring they are not only capable of being well, agents, but also mentally and emotionally prepared enough for what's to come.
Despite the constant headbutting with her apprentice Yuri, who often criticizes her for her morally questionable decisions at times, both characters share the same goal of serving the people of Tyria as a whole (even if Justine does it for her selfish gains). Regardless, she has since long realized the importance of treating her subordinates well, enough that at the very least, she would try to provide guidance and support to them, should they find themselves in troubled times.
With Emilie joining the Whispers as well, it was easy for Justine to notice her needs, and specifically assigned Yuri, who she knew would get along well with her, to be the one who introduce the new agent into the Order, and train together. At the same time, Emilie's level-headed nature, and frankly, courageous heart, gradually proved over time that Justine's cold and calculated view of the world didn't necessarily have to always be the case, a sentiment that would later then be echoed by no other than her very own apprentice.
Maybe it was at that point which Justine realized and re-evaluated her point of view, while still acknowledging that Emilie needed to be as kind as she is capable at completing her objectives. Rather than attempting to subjugate her subordinate(s) with her view, she has since grown to leave them some wiggle rooms, without completely letting go of the important lessons needed to be taught among the agents of Whispers.
