[ Loki sighs, at all of that. Because he doesn't imagine Astarion is wrong, on any count. That he will, eventually, hurt someone he cares about; that it will be inevitable as a matter of course.
That Sylvie finds his affection overwhelming and is fighting the impulse to run.
Instead of answering, however, he simply narrows his eyes at his friend and then uncorks one of the wine bottles. Might as well do this thing properly. ]
No, it's a choice she's making. A decision. One that could be easily rescinded.
[ 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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That Sylvie finds his affection overwhelming and is fighting the impulse to run.
Instead of answering, however, he simply narrows his eyes at his friend and then uncorks one of the wine bottles. Might as well do this thing properly. ]
No, it's a choice she's making. A decision. One that could be easily rescinded.
no subject
[Astarion sounds deeply skeptical, for the record.]
no subject
[ 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?
no subject
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.