[ Loki says this with a sort of graceful finality, pouring wine, ever the courtier's manners. But it's probably clear, at least to Astarion, that he is not as comfortable with this idea as his tone would imply. ]
She has never needed anything, anyone before. How could it not chafe? And there is something to be said of me. A divided loyalty. Eventually she'll be driven to test it, to strike out on her own in this world.
[It isn't the first time Loki's mentioned divisions, tonight. At least in a sense, given the context of 'people he cares about' being hurt. The way Sylvie herself spoke of his 'divided affections'— but that ended with four words.
Now I'm not sure.
A detail Astarion won't betray or surrender, despite all his wicked inclinations.]
Every collar chafes at first, darling. [Friendship or love, calm or docile loyalty, necessary or desired.] No change comes without its messy little growing pains.
In other words: don't take that as a sign she's done just yet; she's never seemed so weak, to me.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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[Astarion sounds deeply skeptical, for the record.]
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[ Loki says this with a sort of graceful finality, pouring wine, ever the courtier's manners. But it's probably clear, at least to Astarion, that he is not as comfortable with this idea as his tone would imply. ]
She has never needed anything, anyone before. How could it not chafe? And there is something to be said of me. A divided loyalty. Eventually she'll be driven to test it, to strike out on her own in this world.
no subject
Now I'm not sure.
A detail Astarion won't betray or surrender, despite all his wicked inclinations.]
Every collar chafes at first, darling. [Friendship or love, calm or docile loyalty, necessary or desired.] No change comes without its messy little growing pains.
In other words: don't take that as a sign she's done just yet; she's never seemed so weak, to me.
[But still.]
What about Alexandrie, though?
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He might be though. ]
Alexandrie was injured in the last battle, badly. Recovery has been slow. I can't imagine it is easy for her, either, the way I am about Sylvie.
[ He picks up his wine glass and peers at the liquid before taking a drink. ]
This was all much easier when I loved no one, much less myself.