[ pls process this information faster, mal, it is very uncomfortable for him to be vulnerable like this. ]
the darkling infected me with merzost. there's a pesky little monster trying to take over my mind and body.
ah, which parts? their great love? the betrayal? the enslavement? the mass murder of the ravkan people? we all seem to remember things a little differently. i don't begrudge her her reasons to despise the man. if i could act on my feelings alone, i'd put a bullet between his eyes. but i can't. i'm a king now. and she's to be queen, so neither can she. i don't actually know how to explain to someone outside of the monarchy how much a title is going to cost them.
yes, well, maybe next time we all can pitch in and kill him a little better.
i know i'm being a fool. i'm a fool backed into a corner. it's easier for me to keep an eye on him this way, you know. being king isn't just about attending champagne parties, even if i'm exceedingly good at them.
betrothed. the monster is vicious. i won't put her in that kind of danger.
[ a lie; he would, and she'd been the one to refuse without explanation. ]
the way i remember him, he's dead. there's a movement to have him sainted. a movement i won't give credence to. imagine if he found out? saints, the ego on the man.
mal. you two have been terrorized by the darkness enough. i wouldn't want to ask that of you, either. you deserve an ending to that chapter.
she hasn't asked, no we aren't... on the best of terms righ tnow. you know that ( but he wants to make sure he doesn't have a second reason to punch you for, nikolai )
i can when they affect people i care about you're good at that don't let it get you killed
well. [ neither are he and alina, but he doesn't have to admit to it just yet. ] have you tried talking to her? she might be amenable to it. i'm not much of a distraction right now, since i'm preoccupied with other matters.
are you saying you care about me? i'm touched. come now, oretsev, you know how hard i am to kill. do you know how many people have tried? it's embarrassing at this point.
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no subject
the darkling infected me with merzost.
there's a pesky little monster trying to take over my mind and body.
ah, which parts? their great love? the betrayal? the enslavement? the mass murder of the ravkan people? we all seem to remember things a little differently.
i don't begrudge her her reasons to despise the man. if i could act on my feelings alone, i'd put a bullet between his eyes.
but i can't. i'm a king now. and she's to be queen, so neither can she.
i don't actually know how to explain to someone outside of the monarchy how much a title is going to cost them.
tell me i'm doing this all wrong.
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lantsov, you know better
she's already killed him, you know that right?
you're doing this wrong
and you know it
you don't need me to tell you you're being a fool
no subject
[ that is. exactly as bad as it sounds. ]
yes, well, maybe next time we all can pitch in and kill him a little better.
i know i'm being a fool. i'm a fool backed into a corner.
it's easier for me to keep an eye on him this way, you know. being king isn't just about attending champagne parties, even if i'm exceedingly good at them.
no subject
your wife?
it's... it happens later back home
than when he's from
you could have told her or me
we could have helped somehow instead of you making a deal with a demon
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the monster is vicious. i won't put her in that kind of danger.
[ a lie; he would, and she'd been the one to refuse without explanation. ]
the way i remember him, he's dead.
there's a movement to have him sainted. a movement i won't give credence to. imagine if he found out? saints, the ego on the man.
mal. you two have been terrorized by the darkness enough.
i wouldn't want to ask that of you, either. you deserve an ending to that chapter.
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don't tell him that
we'd never survive that
isn't that what friends do though, lantsov?
help one another
the secrets are the things that tear us apart
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why? has she asked?
[ long pause. ]
you can't begrudge a man his secrets.
a king doesn't really have friends. i find it's much easier and more entertaining to make enemies.
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we aren't... on the best of terms righ tnow. you know that ( but he wants to make sure he doesn't have a second reason to punch you for, nikolai )
i can when they affect people i care about
you're good at that
don't let it get you killed
no subject
are you saying you care about me? i'm touched.
come now, oretsev, you know how hard i am to kill. do you know how many people have tried? it's embarrassing at this point.