unapparent | INBOX

Are you telling the truth? About being a seer?

[ she doesn’t respond until the vote closes. ]

No.
I’m something called the Mayor.

[He understands why, of course, respects it, but it still sinks into that dark, snarled, loathing part of his mind -- untrustworthy, disloyal, weak.]

I see. That's smart. I tried to do the same thing, with Usopp's visions, but the crew wouldn't let me.

Aemond endeavoured to stop me. It is risky, but preferable to losing our seer if this vile game persists.

Only he and Astarion know of the gambit presently, if you would keep it between us.

[ she just can’t lie to koby… ]

There are still doctors in the game too. I can speak to Shanks, now that he's back. Losing you isn't a preferable outcome, Lady Alicent. Oh. [Oh...she can't know the comfort in that, of being trusted. Koby's too raw and strained to really articulate it too, but. It's there.] Yes, of course. I'll keep it to myself.

[ losing you isn’t a preferable outcome. compared to the alternatives, her role has held little utility, but she will not deny the importance of her work connecting people and groups. a soft sort of power, ignored by her councillors in westeros. ]

Thank you.

I believe there is one who will protect me, so you need not trouble your Shanks. Your group must protect Usopp first.

It is not my intention to be lost, I promise you.

If you're confident in whoever it is, I trust you. [Koby of course wants to pry, wants to dig deeper and find out more -- but it's an act of trust that she's telling the truth at all. And she's not wrong, about the strategy of the game.

Still:] Afterwards, it'd be wise to take stock of who's an ally and who might still want to retaliate. Set won't care, the instant the game is done -- and even if he does, I think I know how to defuse that. But Armand will. Others might. That's assuming the game will end when the party happens, of course. I have no real idea.

My greatest fear in the matter of Set is that he will speak to me again.

[ that is to say, he’s an irritant, nothing more. ]

Armand is not like to pursue vengeance openly, if Louis is released. I am unsure to what degree I have offended him in speaking the truth, but he will be occupied with protecting Daniel until he awakens, besides. He has made an enemy of Prince Alexei and Daniil, to be sure, and likely Lestat as well.

I consider Johnson and Walker greater concerns, if only because their strange family continues to bark. [ eddie, john. ] I may visit Walker in the gaol to make peace with her.

[ that covers her “enemies,” when house atreides appears to have forgiven her, and daemon lies dead. ]

What of those you and yours have offended?

[For the first time in longer than he’d like to admit, Koby actually laughs, at Alicent’s brief dismissal of Set. It sends a throb of pain through his skull, but it’s worth it. Privately he wonders what Alicent would make of people he’s known at home – Garp and his bluster, Morgan and his rage, Alvida and her mindless violence. The thought of her dismissing that last one, especially, with such brief, unconcerned words is especially gratifying.]

I don’t think any of us are safe from that, unfortunately – though it seems we’ll get a brief reprieve, since he’s joining everyone in prison. I don’t imagine they’ll stay there very long, though. I don’t know Jem well, but I did back up Tim’s accusation of Danny, which could either upset him or make him happy. I have no idea which, he’s hard to predict. Maybe I’ll try talking to him when I’m visiting Louis. [Absolutely terrible idea, thanks, Koby.]

Alexei has spoken with both me and Nami, and told us he isn’t upset. Daniil I don’t think will ever want to speak to me again, but That’s his right. Hawk either. But both of those are my fault, not my crew’s. I don’t think Armand or Lestat will retaliate, even though we named Louis - I’ve spoken with them both. Louis doesn’t blame us either. [It’d be easier if he did. Koby knows how to handle anger, rage, blind hatred. He doesn’t know what to do with kindness, still.]

Naming Lauralae upset a couple people, but I think the fact that Usopp’s visions have been proven correct will keep them from retaliating. He’s been a good speaker in all this, I’m actually very impressed. It’s obvious how much naming people is hurting him, so the reaction hasn’t been TOO angry. I know I’m forgetting people, lots of them, but I think...I think that’s it.

[ that all sounds — manageable, in truth. if they make it out of this, what lies ahead seems less daunting than what they’ve endured to date. ]

I do not think that wise. Johnson seems to enjoy the attention. Misbehaving boys mislike being left alone most of all.

[ she would know, when her sons have been acting up for attention from day one. ]

Daniil has a good heart. He’ll not be able to hold onto his anger evermore. And Hawk is a man grown, with much to apologise for, besides.

We shall see what we learn through Portia’s affair at the end of the week and pray that there are no more deaths before that. Until then, try not to linger on these things.

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