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✉️ text — un: astarion.

[thirsted]

[ Sent, as obliquely as possible: ]

Have you heard of a third who can do what Ani can?

[corporeity]

[ guy who is NOT happy the vampires (and traitor ass silco) voted the way they did and suspects teenage girl foul play: ]

Not as yet. I’m aware of two’s in every role thus far.
Though I’ve heard there is a role similar to it, which protects but one and only one over the course of the game.

[ a beat. ]

Have you?

[thirsted]

A girl on my team claims to know a doctor.
If it were Ani, she would have been named. If it were you, I assume I would know.
I've no reason to believe she isn't lying, but I figured if anyone would know, well. You would.

[corporeity]

I imagine many would only tell those they most trust of their role, and so it stands to reason she speaks true.

[ a beat. ]

Unless it’s Misty Quigley.

[thirsted]

It's not Misty.

Her name is Yeko. I don't believe she has that many close connections.

[corporeity]

Interesting.

[ thinking. ]

I did tell Ani that our odds are poor, with so many Wolves amongst us.
And that they could be evened, if the Wolves did not know who would be protected.
In not naming who she intends to save but considering all aloud, she may yet save more than one.

1/2

[thirsted]

[ A long pause.

He thinks of the vote. His unease with it all. How he'd behaved, last year. How he ought to acquit himself, now. How Gale would. ]

I understand.

[thirsted]

Gale. There are roles yet to be revealed.
Use me. Give me a part to play.
As things stand, you protect those who have yet to show themselves, but you come no closer to catching a wolf.
A specific trap is one that may actually spring.

[corporeity]

[ Panic rises within him, a chill that spiderwebs outward like the rot of his blight. He needs to protect Astarion. He needs to protect the roles which will win the game. He cannot do both. ]

Absolutely not.

[ good talk 👍 ]

[thirsted]

[ Part of him is almost glad at the refusal — ever inclined to avoid unnecessary harm or inconvenience to himself, still learning to consider a greater good rather than his own survival. By the moment, his desire to argue his case fizzles, leaving behind only: ]

Wouldn’t you ask the same of me, were our roles reversed?

[corporeity]

And you would surely deny me.

[ In this circle of protection, each seeking to preserve the other. ]

I risk you already, and I can hardly think, for the agony of it.
But there is still something else I would ask of you.

[thirsted]

Somehow, I don't believe that would be enough to dissuade you.
Tell me, then. Whatever I can do not to be a sitting duck.

[corporeity]

[ ignoring the issue of martyrdom for now, as the guiltiest party by far. ]

Following her accusation against the Yellowjackets, Ren of the Diamonds has been poisoned. The one she so sought to defend, Devon, stands accused by their team.

To wit, Lestat is the one who swayed Stefan's vote to Devon despite Caroline urging him and Klaus otherwise. On the same evening, a Yellowjacket came to me to ask for my vote. Now, I do not think her cruel or manipulative, but she mentioned the risks to vampires, Armand in particular, despite how far he trailed behind Saber and Danny at the time.

If they went after one vote, they may have sought others. Would Lestat be like to tell you how he came by Devon's name? Or, indeed, why every vampire but Armand has voted in alignment?

[thirsted]

I didn't realize it was Lestat's doing. Stefan told me none of this.

In the chat, Lestat, Louis, and Armand fell into personal squabbles nearly instantly. With that in mind, it didn't surprise me that Armand voted differently.

But I'll speak with Lestat.

[corporeity]

I don’t imagine Stefan suspected Lestat of any ulterior motives.

Armand still holds love for Louis despite their fraught parting. It would not surprise me if Lestat feels similarly, regardless of any of their bickering.

Please be careful, my love.

[ i do not trust ur fave itwv’s any more than my own 😔 ]

[thirsted]

[ Some time later, simply: ]

It was the girls. They told him of a pact with a devil.

[corporeity]

Well, I shall admit I’m more the fool, for doubting their mettle.

I’ve informed Caroline of the potential subterfuge as well. We’ll see what she makes of it.