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[thirsted]

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ASTARION

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[thirsted]

It’s strange — last year, it occurred as though by accident. A mere misstep on Portia’s part. But this year, the Shepherd acts as though it were providence. And for it to happen again at all … I don’t know.

When the time comes to vote, I won’t have a defense. I’ve no abilities, nor can any of us truly muster an alibi.

[corporeity]

Surely Armand will be suspected before you.
And we’ll allow whatever comes to pass.

[ because he’s here to protect Astarion first, then Caroline and hers. It’s a numbers game, now, and Armand has made himself the top suspect in any vampiric killing. ]

You are more perceptive than you give yourself credit for, my dear. Any of the investigative teams should be lucky to have your eyes — and pointed ears.
And you’ve Shadowheart and I, at your defence this time.

[thirsted]

Perhaps, but to speak with the dead or to save someone else from death?

Well, it matters less to me than having the two of you here.

1/2

[corporeity]

[ a very long pause. ]

Yes, those abilities are certainly an advantage.
And like to paint a target upon the holder’s back.

[corporeity]

If you had the capacity to protect someone, how would you utilise it? The wolves will almost certainly target Ani, for having revealed herself.

[thirsted]

[ He notes the pause — and feels both relief and anxiousness at the conclusion it implies. ]

I'd find someone who has yet to be so publicly revealed.
Protecting Ani would be the obvious choice, but if she's targeted again, whoever saves her would be giving themselves away, too.
Though I suppose it might be worth it, for one more week's worth of reprieve.

[corporeity]

A wise move, from one who bested me in lanceboard mere weeks ago.

It also occurs to me that the easiest way for a vampire to throw suspicions off themselves would be to target one of their own.

[thirsted]

I know, but I
don't know if I could.

Well, for the most part, anyway.

I've been told one of our number isn't fond of Caroline, which does make me rather disinclined to protect him.

[corporeity]

Apologies. I was referring to the next round of attacks.

[ as a reason to justify protecting astarion, above all. ]

But that is quite alarming to hear. Have you told her?

[thirsted]

I'm speaking with her now, but she didn't immediately name him when I asked which of the vampires she didn't trust or care for.

2/2 surprise

[thirsted]

I take it back. She doesn't trust him. And she mentioned — at least when we're restored to ourselves — he poses a unique danger to you. His ability to use magic depends on siphoning it from others.

1/2

[corporeity]

2/2

[corporeity]

Well, I don’t like the sound of that.

[ 😵‍💫 ]

Tim Laughlin considers him a danger to the general populace as well. Named alongside Saber and Danny Johnson.

[ so the shortlist of people we feel good about caging grows…. ya…y…]

[thirsted]

They're certainly not a particularly savory bunch.

I suppose the issue is that their base natures don't guarantee that they're wolves in the game. Alia, Louis, Lauralae — they were compelled to it. I would never have named them.

[corporeity]

Indeed. I suppose we see what evidence our contacts and others bring forth.

Admittedly, I don’t anticipate the Hearts will become major players. We’ve many of the young and afraid, amongst our number.

[ read as: i’m going to adopt the cannibalistic girl’s soccer team ]

[thirsted]

[ so you're saying he'd make a good father ]

Young and afraid could still a wolf make.

[corporeity]

[ to the cannibalistic girl’s soccer team, specifically, yes. ]

Astarion.

[ less warning, more plaintive. he doesn’t want that to be true. ]

I’m rather more worried about another I hold dearer, for the moment. One I would rather not name to any but you.

August is a Diamond, in possession of great power and not insignificant strength, religious inclination, and a history of engaging in blood magic.

[thirsted]

[ He reads the message once, then again— ]

And he's not confided in you about a role that would exonerate him?

[corporeity]

Not as yet. I haven’t asked.

[ he would prefer to never ask. ]

I’ll speak with him.
Please don’t mention anything to Shadowheart just yet.
I’m afraid I trust our newest allies less than she would like.

[thirsted]

I'd keep any secret you asked of me, my love.
I feel the same way, besides.
Has the little cabal been of any use?

[corporeity]

Thank you, my love.

In summation:
• They’ve revealed additional magic users to me, Roza and Wanda of the Diamonds.
• The rumours are sourced from two different teams, Clubs and Hearts, so it’s not a coordinated effort from the Clubs to sabotage the Diamonds.
• There are additional roles, including a necromancer who may speak with the dead and a witch who may resurrect them.
• We haven’t any more impressive leads than Jinx’s cadre of rogues. Well done for your part in that, by the by.

[thirsted]

It was the least I could do, for Paul.

I've nothing from the vampires. One claims that the attack upon Giles isn't characteristic of a vampire or a wolf, but of a shapeshifter. Most of the group also still believes we vampires may be being framed.

[corporeity]

I know Alia and Alina will appreciate it, as will Paul, when he returns to us.

I’m not certain we know enough about what attacked Giles, but the Diamond rumour protects many of you from accusations, when cross-referenced.

[ apart from Armand, Spike, and, worryingly, Caroline. ]

I don’t know how you survived this, the last time. I feel as though my mind itself is being wrung out.

[thirsted]

It's terrible, isn't it?

[ He thumbs over Gale's name on his screen, glad and sad in equal measure to have him here. Glad to have someone to lean on, to support in turn. Sad that someone he loves should be put through a misery he'd do anything to avoid. ]

You wouldn't have been proud of me.
I tried to protect those close to me, but that was all.
It seemed better, to me, to keep my head down and wait for it all to pass than to risk being so scrutinized again.

1/2

[corporeity]

Terrible.

[ agreed, with one hand already knuckling tears from his eyes. ]