i think the thing ab both kom’rk and jaing and like one of the reasons they get along so well is that they both take everything deadly serious even when pretending they don’t is part of their respective “acts.” and of course that there’s an element of sadism in both of them.
so like. for a deep contrast to how they are, look at mereel. who takes everything to heart, but doesn’t necessarily take it seriously, and that’s because unless it has to do with kal or corr’s opinion of him he’s decided not to. he’s often decided that having fun is more important in the moment. and that's how he stimulates himself and finds distraction and self-occupation.
on the other hand a character a lot more like jaing and kom'rk who takes everything deadly serious is ordo. he finds self-occupation in his duties. but unlike them 1) ordo barely, if at all, has the capacity to pretend like he isn't taking everything seriously at all times. whereas kom’rk very much can blend into a jovial group when he wants and jaing often plays up the erratic insanity card. and 2) ordo cares about ethics insofar as he cares about “is this what kal would want from me” and “is this what im supposed to do” and “is this serving my purpose.” and those aren’t necessarily questions either kom’rk or jaing are asking when they’re making decisions. it’s usually more like “is this going to make executing our mission more efficient” and “is this going to alleviate my crushing boredom for five seconds."
to be clear they're both really good and well trained at long-haul buckle-down surveillance jobs. but they are also increasingly dangerous the longer they've been sitting still/unoccupied. and kal is aware of this so he's always giving them side quests because he knows otherwise they will Find Their Own. and it won't be something harmless like clubbing like mereel does. they're going to uncover some kind of trafficking ring and start impaling perpetrators' limbs on fenceposts and ruining lives and shit
