thirsted | SALTBURNT

Indeed. Such things usually demand a cost, not to mention the intervention of a higher power. I can't tell if either have come into play.

I hope the same. A game in which none but its master derives any enjoyment is hardly a game at all.

[ Ellipses, then none. Then ellipses again. It is one thing to have one's word believed, it is another thing entirely to have incontrovertible proof of it. ]

I had worried.

[ Worried that he'd been compelled to act against his will and unable to remember anything as such, as the girl Alia had claimed. A terrible, unhappy lot — and regrettably not one entirely foreign to him. ]

Thank you. You have my vote, if I have yours.
That's how typical marital vows go, isn't it?

It would appear the cost was great for Alina, at least, though I know not the impact on the resurrected.

[ I had worried. A rush of affection for him, helpless and true. They should have worried — have looked inward as well as right beside them. If it is Louis this night? It will ache as much — if not more — than Alia.

She thinks on his other words, on his invocation of a master and how he must have been restrained or imprisoned, based on his answers the day of their mock wedding. ]

I’m told we simply can never betray each other in the court. A clever little trick.

[ she would not demand his vote for this truth. it’s given freely. ]

But I should like to remain in alignment with you. I have hurt enough friends in this game.

True enough. To be the subject of an attempted assassination twice in the span of as many weeks is hardly nothing.

[ Friends. A strange word, but one he's becoming more and more used to. He'd hated the ribbon when they'd worn it, but — would they be friends, now, had they not suffered it together, had they not shared what he can only imagine they've rarely, if ever, shared with anyone else?

Perhaps more importantly, she does not shun nor pity him for it. That is a gift, in and of itself. ]

I do not think anyone could fault your actions, my dear. The game seems designed to force our hands, besides.

[ Granted, he's always put self-preservation over magnanimity, but. ]

I'd like that. In this game, and beyond.

Let us hope the ugliness ends with the game, then, and that we are all returned to ourselves.

[ wolves included. ]

How lucky I am to have such an agreeable match, the second time around.

[ nevermind that she still holds the times viserys heeded her counsel close, like a girl hoarding the meagre approvals of her father. ]

[ It will, he thinks, but on that same token, it'll only be a matter of time before another game begins. But that's a thought that doesn't need speaking aloud. ]

And I, so spoiled on my first go.

How fare you, with this round of the game? You've been quite occupied, as far as I can tell. Not an enviable position, if you don't mind my saying.

I should like to be ignored by all for the remainder of my stay at the manor.

[ that is to say, yes, she’s been frightfully busy. ]

I will not target your Lauralae, if it concerns you. Nor will my House, or what remains of it.

I seek another this round, the girl who helped Danny Johnson with his vile crimes against those most dear to me. Jem Walker.

Perhaps we ought to hide you away for a while, when this is all over.

My fingers will tire of typing out my thanks to you eventually, you know. But I do appreciate it. More importantly, your case is one I'm willing to back. I heard what happened to Moore — whispers of it, at least. To have committed an act like that without being compelled to ...

Do you believe her to be a wolf?

Embry was one of the first to show me kindness in this place. I’ll not forget him.

[ a truth that isn’t for everyone to know, but astarion seems as though he might understand. ]

Then I shall thank you, as I fear this case will not be as obvious or clean as those that have come before.

I do.
It has been Seen by the one I trust. The girl defended Danny fiercely, besides, and Alina knows two people attacked her, the second time. Still, it is not as much evidence as I would like. I intend to learn all I can before I accuse another.

[ He does, which is why he lets it go without comment. Kindness is— a private thing, a different kind of treasure to those unused to it than those who take it for granted. ]

If it has been Seen, that's good enough for me, though I understand those of more modern dispositions have found such accusations wanting.

May I be of assistance?

A vision without a Seer to claim it will be even more suspect after Louis’ play. I must claim the sight as mine own, to protect the one who may yet find more wolves, should the game continue.

If you are willing to say I saw and informed you of your innocence in the first round, it will add credence to my claim.

It was quite curious. I'm not inclined to believe Louis was lying, which begs the question of what other sorts of tricks we ought to be wary of.

[ A pause. ]

You're quite brave, dear wife. Well, that, or you've some sort of death wish, though I think I would have noticed by now if that were the case. But either way, you'll have my corroboration.

Nor am I. Perhaps he saw what the Wolves do, when they meet in the night. I could not say.

[ as for the rest, well — ]

My son is among us, Astarion. A prophecy claims I will lose him in time.
Soon, perhaps. But not yet.

I hope catching the wolves might spare him and others. For as long as we remain in this place.

Thank you.

[ Astarion wonders, first, if his mother and father felt anything at all, when their son went missing. His turning had been so absolute, such a point of no return, that the idea of letting them know had either never crossed his mind or never been an option.

He thinks, second, of the curse of knowing. Of knowing something is bound to happen, of being powerless to stop it. It's that inability, at the end of the day, that makes it so horrible to bear. ]

I'm sorry.

[ Because what else is there to say? What other sentiment truly matters? ]

I hope, for both your sakes, that the prophecy bears out to be false. Or that you both forget it, as cold as that sounds, and experience his passing as you were meant to.

For now, at least, we will catch the wolves, and bring this accursed game to its end.

[ it’s the right thing to say. the only thing to say. the thing she has oft wanted to hear and rarely been given: acknowledgement of her miserable lot. ]

It will soon be my turn to tire of thanking you, Astarion.

Call upon me if you’ve need of me.
And perhaps if you don’t.
I should like to share our time by choice, when we next meet.

Nothing would delight me more.

Humor me one thing, before then — and I promise, this has nothing to do with the game — have you a favored scent? Perhaps something you like, something that comforts you, whatever category or metric you wish.

I suppose I prefer the scent fresh air, when it smells more of flowers or rain than anything else. I come from a region much greener than our capitol, famed for gardens far grander than the Balfours’ own. Stretches of freesia, gardenias, lavender, and foxglove seemingly go on forever.

[ There is a part of him that understands: this is what they stole from you. Wide open spaces — freedom — in exchange for the cold confines of a castle. ]

You paint an enviable picture, my dear. Thank you for indulging me.

Later, then. Once the wind has changed and the clouds have lifted, we'll rejoin each other's company.

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