sixfeetofdirt | TLV: IC Contact

[ He's going to bite back the much meaner version of what he's about to say (thank you, therapy) and goes with something a little more conducive to conversation. ]

You survived because you were being manipulated and used by something more powerful than you. Something that taught you to keep alliances at a distance and didn't let you gather resources he didn't approve of because those would actually give you a chance to free yourself or fight him. And the moment that you couldn't be manipulated and used, when Cazador no longer wanted you to survive... what happened?

Edited 2023-10-25 18:39 (UTC)

[There's several minutes' pause before he responds.]

Thank you. I appreciate the reminder that I have not for centuries been anything more than the pawn of a more powerful being. The point you're actually making is that no amount of feeling safe would have ever made a difference.

No. It's a reminder that he made everything in your life work towards being able to keep you as a pawn and that the survival skills that you learned in that situation don't apply to everywhere.

He never let you feel safe.

And he did that on purpose.

I don't disagree on that one, singular point.

However, it's still a little rich to be talking to me about feeling safe when there's blood being cleaned off the walls. Or when you came to me in the first place to tell me about someone who might choose to attack me.

I actually told you about it last time.

This time I told you something I did to make sure he couldn't get into your room without your express permission.

In general, assigned cabins are safe zones. So I tried to make it safer.

...I didn't say any of this shit is easy, Astarion. It doesn't come to me naturally either.

...I appreciate you telling me about the efforts you've made.

...do you want me to take it off?

No.

Do you think I told you this so you'd feel like I'm a nice little overlord and you have to appreciate it so I don't fuck with you? Or that I expect thanks?