[ this tag was so lovely i was like i have to respond to it in the morning to actually do it justice
it takes him a long moment to look up from his hands when she's speaking, from the jittering movement that feels necessary, the only way to keep his energy in check, to try and pull his emotions all together. because that's the thing. it wasn't on purpose. just like with halia. it wasn't personal. it wasn't chosen for any reason except bad luck and prime location. no one had any grudge against the count and the family. and rosamund liked vi. loved vi. but out of her mind, out of everything, the damage took hold.
his hands curl into fists as she speaks, but its for himself. white crescents in his palms, maelstrom of misery - and it's only as she addresses him by name that he does finally glance over.
silence ticks by. one beat. two. ]
It's the bastards who run this place who're the enemy. [ he says, first - roughly, out of his mouth quicker than he's ready for, full of vitriol, because it is. just like with klinger, it was louis who ruined everything, from his high seat above while klinger did his dirty work. (work he chose to do for his own reasons, cruelty for cruelty's sake. louis, who chose for his own reasons - just like wis'adel, reasons that were to save a world by destroying a part of his. selfish.
but rosamund's not quite like that.
he takes a deep breath - clearly, clearly holding onto his composure. strohl's voice is low and unhappy, the gravity of a nobleman, but the initial anger dies down. ] I meant what I said last night. But don't get me wrong - I'm not as magnanimous as His Highness, and I've no intention of forgiving you anytime soon.
[ another deep breath. ]
However. I'll not stand for anyone harming you, or aiming for retribution towards you, either. [ ... ] I don't hate you, your highness. And I expect that you'll be doing all in your power to tear this place down as we make our way forward - if that slips, if that halts for even a second, then I'll be far, far less gracious. I don't think it will.
[ she was already pretty determined to in the first place - just like him. something they agreed on, early on. that makes it hurt, too, because he likes rosamund a lot. her verve, her strength, the familiar vibes of a deep and noble passion for others, and that makes it even worse. he knows vi liked her, too.
there's another long pause, and he looks at her. intense, still, but in a different light. ]
It takes courage to own up to what we've done. You could've walked away and never spoken to either of us again, but you didn't. I respect that.
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it takes him a long moment to look up from his hands when she's speaking, from the jittering movement that feels necessary, the only way to keep his energy in check, to try and pull his emotions all together. because that's the thing. it wasn't on purpose. just like with halia. it wasn't personal. it wasn't chosen for any reason except bad luck and prime location. no one had any grudge against the count and the family. and rosamund liked vi. loved vi. but out of her mind, out of everything, the damage took hold.
his hands curl into fists as she speaks, but its for himself. white crescents in his palms, maelstrom of misery - and it's only as she addresses him by name that he does finally glance over.
silence ticks by. one beat. two. ]
It's the bastards who run this place who're the enemy. [ he says, first - roughly, out of his mouth quicker than he's ready for, full of vitriol, because it is. just like with klinger, it was louis who ruined everything, from his high seat above while klinger did his dirty work. (work he chose to do for his own reasons, cruelty for cruelty's sake. louis, who chose for his own reasons - just like wis'adel, reasons that were to save a world by destroying a part of his. selfish.
but rosamund's not quite like that.
he takes a deep breath - clearly, clearly holding onto his composure. strohl's voice is low and unhappy, the gravity of a nobleman, but the initial anger dies down. ] I meant what I said last night. But don't get me wrong - I'm not as magnanimous as His Highness, and I've no intention of forgiving you anytime soon.
[ another deep breath. ]
However. I'll not stand for anyone harming you, or aiming for retribution towards you, either. [ ... ] I don't hate you, your highness. And I expect that you'll be doing all in your power to tear this place down as we make our way forward - if that slips, if that halts for even a second, then I'll be far, far less gracious. I don't think it will.
[ she was already pretty determined to in the first place - just like him. something they agreed on, early on. that makes it hurt, too, because he likes rosamund a lot. her verve, her strength, the familiar vibes of a deep and noble passion for others, and that makes it even worse. he knows vi liked her, too.
there's another long pause, and he looks at her. intense, still, but in a different light. ]
It takes courage to own up to what we've done. You could've walked away and never spoken to either of us again, but you didn't. I respect that.