And you would have me believe this conversation isn't a cruel diversion meant to shame me?
( no more than a cruel diversion than she had dangled over alicent's head, in front of too many watchful eyes, to spare alia her pain. like understands like. )
It's bold to speak to me of pain and confinement while Alia suffers both.
Whether innocent or guilty, Louis showed me a kindness even when I named him. Whatever cost he pays, I'll protect him from any misguided revenge the others would seek against him and your kind. I do not believe him to be wicked or cruel, no matter what this manor makes of us.
If the dungeons are to be his fate, you've my protection. This I do for him, not for you. And understand this: I will remember this day, and how little the pain of my own concerned you.
Make any promise you wish, child. I do not need your protection. You were quick to turn on my family to protect your own. I can understand why, but I believe you will come to regret it in time. The Balfours will be profit from your mistakes.
I am more than capable of wringing it from you should I desire to know. Or do you yearn to unburden yourself to me as you have before, little bird? I can take away the pain you carry.
You must've known Parisa, if Louis did. Didn't you? You're quite powerful, of that I'm certain. I bet she knew it, too. But perhaps you should think on the fact Parisa considered me the most powerful person in this manor. Not you.
You would be wise not to come to me with threats, Armand, after the patience I've shown you. You've no idea what I am, or what I can do. I'm the only living Ravkan saint you'll ever meet. Do not assume I am weak and beneath you because I met your anger with the mercy of my understanding.
Your childish boasting does you a disservice, Alina. Perhaps we should speak again once you have calmed yourself. Regardless of your contempt for me, I still believe we would be better allies than enemies, if we cannot be friends.
( she bristles, if only because it isn't an accusation without basis. the question still remains: how do you douse a supernova of a temper, once it's already begun to ignite? )
How generous to think of me as an ally now you've been made aware I'm not completely useless.
( a pawn moved by this game, he had called her. silently, she wonders if armand doesn't see her the same, stricken by the same temptation to shift her as a piece on his board, as every powerful man before him has tried. as she blinks, alicent's words stain the back of her eyelids: you come to beg my sway and insult me? )
This may surprise you, but I don't consider you my enemy, Armand. I save that privilege for very few. What is it you want?
( i would have to be truly desperate to accept that offer comes the first childish lash of anger, with nowhere to lay down her rage. she backspaces, finds the petty i thought you didn't need my protection does her no favors, in a manor where everything is in excess — save for trust, save for allies. for a few suspended moments, there's three hovering dots on armand's screen, alina starkov is typing ... )
I'm afraid we'll find that out soon enough. Keep safe, Armand.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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( no more than a cruel diversion than she had dangled over alicent's head, in front of too many watchful eyes, to spare alia her pain. like understands like. )
It's bold to speak to me of pain and confinement while Alia suffers both.
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Whatever cost he pays, I'll protect him from any misguided revenge the others would seek against him and your kind.
I do not believe him to be wicked or cruel, no matter what this manor makes of us.
If the dungeons are to be his fate, you've my protection. This I do for him, not for you.
And understand this: I will remember this day, and how little the pain of my own concerned you.
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We've all been given roles to play, Armand.
Perhaps you should have considered asking me mine, before you spurned my protection.
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The same power that Louis himself admitted is crippled?
Commendable effort at a threat, Armand.
But we both know you would have more luck intimidating me with a dirty dishrag right now than your gifts.
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It is far from my only power. You would be wise not to push my patience any further, Alina.
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You must've known Parisa, if Louis did. Didn't you?
You're quite powerful, of that I'm certain. I bet she knew it, too.
But perhaps you should think on the fact Parisa considered me the most powerful person in this manor. Not you.
You would be wise not to come to me with threats, Armand, after the patience I've shown you.
You've no idea what I am, or what I can do. I'm the only living Ravkan saint you'll ever meet.
Do not assume I am weak and beneath you because I met your anger with the mercy of my understanding.
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How generous to think of me as an ally now you've been made aware I'm not completely useless.
( a pawn moved by this game, he had called her. silently, she wonders if armand doesn't see her the same, stricken by the same temptation to shift her as a piece on his board, as every powerful man before him has tried. as she blinks, alicent's words stain the back of her eyelids: you come to beg my sway and insult me? )
This may surprise you, but I don't consider you my enemy, Armand.
I save that privilege for very few.
What is it you want?
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Your patience, nothing more. Your interest in seeing how useful we can be to each other, come the next round of this game.
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I'm afraid we'll find that out soon enough.
Keep safe, Armand.