[There's a laugh that escapes her--sharp, joyless.]
Do you truly think so? I don't. Not after this week. They seek to find what we care about and exploit it, and punish us if we don't play by their rules.
Alphinaud believes there must be a way out. But I... don't know what we can do. Not with what they can do to us on a whim.
I know types like that. Used to run with one. [They also used to sleep together, but that's not important.] He was a right sick bastard, even as far as vampires go.
It's all about making you believe that they have all the power and then giving you just a glimmer of hope that you could maybe escape. It's not about breaking wills, it's about creating the desperation required to get you to give in to their game.
But they're never invincible, they just want to convince you they are. Often, they're actually real fucking stupid.
[He grins down at her, even though she won't see it.]
Attagirl.
My suggestion would be to pretend to have learnt your lesson. These people are so up their own arses that they're eager to believe that they've already won just by throwing their weight around. Then, when they get arrogant and lazy?
That's when you go for the kill. Show them that no matter how hard they try to make it so, you're not whatever they're trying to twist you into.
[She can't see it, but she can hear it! Alisaie nods, and though she still sounds a little lost, her words are a bit closer to their normal tone and timbre.]
I told Alphinaud something similar. I expect they'll be watching me closely after tonight, so I've no choice but to play their game for the time being. Continuing to flout their rules may provide the rest of you a chance to put the pieces together, but I've no intentions of providing some sort of heroic sacrifice to make that happen.
I think on my end, I'll be feeling a lot more compliant, out of stark fear of what happened last I saw a fellow loud and proud rebel get punished. But we'll see if we can't find our ways to shape things without them knowing about it, hm?
[There's a hint of bitterness to his tone, but he's still about as mirthful as he usually is. In truth, watching what happened to Alisaie made him feel really fucking angry and helpless. Something they both understand well.]
...What made tonight unique? I get you probably didn't know the answer for sure, so I get it in that regard but... you know.
[She opens her mouth to respond... but shuts it after a moment more. For a second, she can't speak--but then she shakes her head, a small, wan smile coming to her face.]
That ought to horrify me. But coming from you, I find I'm grateful more than anything else.
That was the intent, so I'm glad. [He smiles, gentle. He's a little surprised if she is in fact this week's murderer, but like. Good job. You did it. He'd have helped if you'd asked him.]
...You don't have to tell me more, if you don't want to. But I am curious about which one it was.
[Again, she hesitates--but this hesitation doesn't last as long before she takes a breath...
And doesn't say a thing, her eyebrows furrowing down.
Spike will be able to see her struggling; first looking as though she's about to say something but then letting go of it at the last second. Finally she seems to give up, shaking her head before hanging it.
[He furrows his brow slightly in concern. His priorities are a bit askew, as you can tell. Alisaie potentially murdering someone and getting away with it? Fine. Impressive. Proud of her. Alisaie not being allowed to talk about it? Hmmmm.
But he eases up, the tension dropping from his shoulders.]
Well, it's no problem. You can tell me after we decapitate this angel thing, yeah?
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no subject
Guess so.
We'll get you your vision back, yeah? And then maybe it'll all be a happily ever after.
[Or they'll all die here.]
no subject
Do you truly think so? I don't. Not after this week. They seek to find what we care about and exploit it, and punish us if we don't play by their rules.
Alphinaud believes there must be a way out. But I... don't know what we can do. Not with what they can do to us on a whim.
no subject
[He lets out a bitter chuckle of his own.]
I know types like that. Used to run with one. [They also used to sleep together, but that's not important.] He was a right sick bastard, even as far as vampires go.
It's all about making you believe that they have all the power and then giving you just a glimmer of hope that you could maybe escape. It's not about breaking wills, it's about creating the desperation required to get you to give in to their game.
But they're never invincible, they just want to convince you they are. Often, they're actually real fucking stupid.
no subject
But at his last sentences, that disappears and she looks back up to him, unseeing.]
Then we must needs find their weak point. I'm tired of being exploited.
no subject
Attagirl.
My suggestion would be to pretend to have learnt your lesson. These people are so up their own arses that they're eager to believe that they've already won just by throwing their weight around. Then, when they get arrogant and lazy?
That's when you go for the kill. Show them that no matter how hard they try to make it so, you're not whatever they're trying to twist you into.
no subject
I told Alphinaud something similar. I expect they'll be watching me closely after tonight, so I've no choice but to play their game for the time being. Continuing to flout their rules may provide the rest of you a chance to put the pieces together, but I've no intentions of providing some sort of heroic sacrifice to make that happen.
Tonight was a unique situation.
no subject
[There's a hint of bitterness to his tone, but he's still about as mirthful as he usually is. In truth, watching what happened to Alisaie made him feel really fucking angry and helpless. Something they both understand well.]
...What made tonight unique? I get you probably didn't know the answer for sure, so I get it in that regard but... you know.
no subject
And then she shakes her head, eyes dropping to the ground as her hands clench into fists at her sides.]
It's... not that.
It's the opposite of that.
no subject
Wait, okay, so that can mean two things.] As in, you know who it was? Or... it was you?
Not judging if it's the latter, for the record. I'd have covered for you if that were the case.
[He's ride or die and has little to no morals. He's got your back.]
no subject
That ought to horrify me. But coming from you, I find I'm grateful more than anything else.
[Honestly she's gotten that vibe from him.]
no subject
...You don't have to tell me more, if you don't want to. But I am curious about which one it was.
no subject
And doesn't say a thing, her eyebrows furrowing down.
Spike will be able to see her struggling; first looking as though she's about to say something but then letting go of it at the last second. Finally she seems to give up, shaking her head before hanging it.
That's not a question she can answer.]
no subject
But he eases up, the tension dropping from his shoulders.]
Well, it's no problem. You can tell me after we decapitate this angel thing, yeah?
no subject
If I can.
We've but to make that happen, first.