[ He smiles at that. She doesn't imagine that he's any better about compliments than he used to be, does she? ]
Oh, undoubtedly. Although you did refuse to marry me. I thought it was a good offer, but you know how stubborn you are. Absolutely impossible at times.
You offered to marry me? [ She asked him. She wonders how Mal took that.... she can only imagine. ] Did I punch you for that? I feel like I would punch you for that one.
Yes. You made him Captain of your Guard. He went to the Little Palace with you, along with two of my old crew. He never had any intention of leaving you behind, have no fear of that.
You might rethink that when you see the work it involves.
[ But still, there's a smile in his eyes. He offers her his arm, which is a thing he didn't do as Sturmhond. In Os Alta, however, Nikolai did it every time they walked together. ]
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Oh, undoubtedly. Although you did refuse to marry me. I thought it was a good offer, but you know how stubborn you are. Absolutely impossible at times.
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It did sour my relationship with Oretsev, though. For a while I thought he might take my head off. Questionable sense of humour, that one.
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You would have deserved it if he had.
What did Mal do when we went to Os Alta? He... came with us right?
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The question makes him sober a bit. He nods. ]
Yes. You made him Captain of your Guard. He went to the Little Palace with you, along with two of my old crew. He never had any intention of leaving you behind, have no fear of that.
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So that's how we become friends then? Because I come back to Os Alta with you?
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[ A faint smile, slightly crooked this time. Less cocky. ]
You're not bad company. As it happens.
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But she can't help but smile a little. ]
I consider you my friend here.
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On your word as a cutthroat and a pirate?
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I'm not a pirate. That's you.
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[ Maybe. Assuming she remembers this place when she goes back home. ]
Is there anything else you want to know?
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But those are the most burning questions.
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All right.
Then I should go. I still have a forge to rebuild, after all.
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Do you want me to come help?
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If you like.
I'll show you how.
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That'd be nice. [ She still prefers to be with him, honestly. ]
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[ But still, there's a smile in his eyes. He offers her his arm, which is a thing he didn't do as Sturmhond. In Os Alta, however, Nikolai did it every time they walked together. ]
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She reaches out to take his arm. It's strange, knowing that he's the prince of Ravka now. But somehow better. ]
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[ He laughs quietly, and keeps her arm against his side while he leads the way towards his workshop. ]
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You're easier to please than I thought, then.
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Very. It only involves getting my way. If you could manage that all the time, I'd be very grateful.
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Don't worry, I'll make sure you don't get your way too. I have to balance that ego somehow.
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[ He sneaks a little smile at her. ]
You know that you think so too.
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[ And anyway what matters is that he entertains himself. Just now, he would say that he feels very entertained.
Though that may also be the company. ]
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