Blunt as ever. But even you have to admit this is no ordinary place. Have you noticed the little windows around the place? You must have, if you’re exploring.
[ He’s already tried sticking his hand through. Needless to say, it didn’t get him anywhere. ]
Well, given that it doesn’t seem possible to go through them, I would hazard a guess that they are windows rather than doors.
[ Of course he’s tried. The miracle is that he stopped after three. Well, four. And a half, but that barely counts since he’d only tried to put a hand through. ]
Sometimes you’ll catch people looking from the other side, have you noticed? All impossible, of course. But interesting. Very interesting.
I know. Shortly after meeting you, Alina, I will tell you that when people say things are impossible, they usually mean improbable. It’s never been more true than now. I’m very wise, you know. You should try to remember this, so that you don’t argue with me about it later.
[ Ah, now, he needs to be careful what he says. He wants her to trust him, but she mustn’t know who he really is. Not yet. Best to let her future come at her when it will, in case he changes something crucial. ]
We’re allies against the Darkling, Alina. I’m reasonably sure that I mentioned that. Weren’t you paying attention?
i know. you help the darkling find me but then you rescue me. and somehow we're allies.
but there's something missing in between there.
[ Because she wouldn't just become his ally because he saved her. And what could the privateer do exactly? Why come find her just to save her? Why not let her stay in hiding?
The only use she could see for a pirate for her would be to take her to a place to hide. Which didn't make sense as something Sturmhond would do if he went through the trouble of helping find her. ]
[ He hesitates. She’s always been perspective. That had been true from the first moment he met her, when he’d seen her peering at his face as if she knew it wasn’t real. She hadn’t known who he was, but she’d known there was more to him than he was saying.
Just as she knows it now. ]
You’re very suspicious. Has anyone ever told you that? I’m not the enemy. The Darkling is a regicidal traitor, and whatever you may think of me, understand that I have a problem with that. I don’t intend on sitting back while he does what he pleases. You and I are on the same side – or at least we will be, once you stop running away from it.
[ That didn't answer the how. It answered the why, but not that how. And Alina was very aware of his question dodging. He wanted them to be allies but he was holding something back. She didn't think she could trust him so long as he kept those secrets. ]
there's no darkling here anyway. so it doesn't matter.
[ it's a long while before she finally answers him. ]
okay.
but don't talk about home and wars anymore. especially wars. i ran away for a reason. i'm not fighting any war. [ it was too risky to be there. Not just because she was scared of being used, but because she could be used. ]
[ For once, it takes him a while to reply. This is a different Alina. He has to remember that. He has to remember what she was like before their months of working together. Before the second amplifier. Right now she's still the Alina who'd turned her back on her country. ]
It's not my intention to frighten you. I don't mean to be cruel. I'm a lot of things, but I don't want to be that.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
You’ve got a funny notion of what makes a prison. They’ve left us our weapons, for a start. Let’s not be so simplistic, Alina, it’s more than that.
A good deal more.
Though perhaps the lack of brandy’s understandable. That doesn’t mean I have to like it. What are you doing?
no subject
we can't get out. that's enough of a definition for prison to me.
exploring.
no subject
[ He’s already tried sticking his hand through. Needless to say, it didn’t get him anywhere. ]
You didn’t mention those before. Are they new?
no subject
they are. i don't know what they are so don't ask.
no subject
[ Of course he’s tried. The miracle is that he stopped after three. Well, four. And a half, but that barely counts since he’d only tried to put a hand through. ]
Sometimes you’ll catch people looking from the other side, have you noticed? All impossible, of course. But interesting. Very interesting.
no subject
how is anything impossible anymore?
no subject
[ As if that would ever happen. ]
no subject
why do we spend so much time together at home?
no subject
We’re allies against the Darkling, Alina. I’m reasonably sure that I mentioned that. Weren’t you paying attention?
no subject
but there's something missing in between there.
[ Because she wouldn't just become his ally because he saved her. And what could the privateer do exactly? Why come find her just to save her? Why not let her stay in hiding?
The only use she could see for a pirate for her would be to take her to a place to hide. Which didn't make sense as something Sturmhond would do if he went through the trouble of helping find her. ]
no subject
Just as she knows it now. ]
You’re very suspicious. Has anyone ever told you that? I’m not the enemy. The Darkling is a regicidal traitor, and whatever you may think of me, understand that I have a problem with that. I don’t intend on sitting back while he does what he pleases. You and I are on the same side – or at least we will be, once you stop running away from it.
no subject
there's no darkling here anyway. so it doesn't matter.
no subject
[ He has to make sure she’s safe here. He needs her, and his country needs her.
But he doesn’t want to see her hurt, either. She’s the closest thing he has to a confidante, only she doesn’t remember it. ]
If you find it hard to believe that I’m on your side, at least know that I’m not your enemy. Get to know me. You might like what you find.
no subject
okay.
but don't talk about home and wars anymore. especially wars. i ran away for a reason. i'm not fighting any war. [ it was too risky to be there. Not just because she was scared of being used, but because she could be used. ]
no subject
It's not my intention to frighten you. I don't mean to be cruel. I'm a lot of things, but I don't want to be that.