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[corporeity]

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@WATERDEEP

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[corporeity]

You needn’t play any games with me, Alia. I am your ally as you are mine. Your friend as your are mine. Your brother, though I would never presume to usurp Paul in your heart.

I have identified a likely wolf amongst our team, though it is unlikely she harmed Paul. For the moment, shall we join Eddie in his efforts to find those with abilities are akin to your own?

[preborns]

Indeed you are. Though your heart is true and your endeavors noble. I myself am a wretched, vengeful, malevolent beast.

I will assist for your sake, then -- my enemy are the ones who harmed Paul, Homelander and now, Set of the Red Lands. If I obtain information with regards to any else, it is yours.

August Moreau has created a "group chat" of witches, which, while a rudimentary term, is useful for our purposes. A power of compulsion is possessed by at least one wolf, I believe. Paul's lack of struggle convinces me.

[corporeity]

I have a contact looking into Set with the other Spades, so I’ll inform you of his findings.

I agree. A compulsive power, a butcher’s skillset (in terms beyond that of the cult), and strength enough to carry him. I would think that like to narrow our pool of suspects, and yet no name comes to mind.

[preborns]

Clever, clever Gale. Keep yourself safe from the wolves, as I fear we will be ill-suited to endure without your ingenuity.

One accustomed to dressing their own kill, strength and an eye towards blasphemy. In this, my insular nature betrays itself -- I know few here well enough to claim knowledge of their past.

I will ally my vote with yours. I've many who grieve Set, and would listen to my word. My strength must be in diplomacy. I can nearly hear my mother's laughter at such a thing.

[corporeity]

I’m afraid I lack any suspect for Paul in this round as well, for all my cleverness is worth.

But I know Set wished to catch the wolf Shauna enough to risk his life, and that one less wolf might give us clarity — and prevent bloodshed — in the coming rounds. My vote is decided.

[preborns]

My esteem remains.

I must stand by Homelander, should his decision veer elsewhere. But I will not argue yours; it seems made with clarity.

[corporeity]

And so I did not have your vote, in the end.

[ it’s an observation, perhaps one made sharper by the clarity that alia — like mystra, hopefully never like astarion — will always choose one she views as her equal above someone like him. ]

I understand.

[preborns]

You are wounded. This game would make fools of us, Gale, as it has in the past, and I dislike that greatly.

I did not forsee Homelander naming any in this round. If your beloved put forth a name, you would stand beside him, in this farce of justice, yes?

[corporeity]

Is Homelander your beloved? As Alina and Paul are?

[ does everyone have a polycule here? ]

For me, there is Astarion alone, and I would not have promised that which I could not give. If I believed his evidence and heart to be true, I would follow him always, my northernmost star.

[preborns]

My brother set me aside after the events of June. In my grief, there was Homelander. He does not judge my monstrosities, nor my wretchedness. He is one of very, very few here I would trust with my life, with my honesty.

You are another, Gale. You may think me capricious and changeable, and you would be correct. I am ill-suited for this waiting, these machinations. I am a weapon, not a diplomat.

[corporeity]

I am glad Homelander was there for you, as you, Alia of House Atreides, should never be made to feel alone.

All I ask of you is this: Do you vote now with your heart alone, Alia? Or with your more than capable mind? You are not only a weapon, not to me, nor to many who hold you dear.

[preborns]

I too, am glad, for the chance to be just-Alia. My house, my power, my influence were not wished for, by me. I did not want to be chosen. I wanted to love and be loved.

And now that I am, I am bad at it. It comes less easy than I imagined. I have wounded you, and for this, I apologize. I would not lose one of the few who remain that I hold dear.

My mind is fractured, too quiet. None named strike as undeniable culprits, and my need for justice cries out. My brother is dead. I do not believe any accused guilty of this crime. My heart is all that remains of me, and that too lies broken.

[corporeity]

You’ll not lose me Alia, not for this. I promise.

Allow a prideful man a night to tend his wounds, and he shall recover. I understand that we have little and less evidence, as more accusations arise. It is a cruel game we play. One that would seek to divide us above all.

Do not allow me to add to your troubles, when it is the last thing I wish for you.

[preborns]

I am pleased to hear it. I am a selfish, greedy, grabbing creature, Gale of Waterdeep, Guardian Mine. I have felt the beat of your mighty heart and know it's power. You do yourself and Lord Set credit.

I would wish this game over, so we may return to the happiness we once had. I would wish you tend your heart -- never troubling, never prideful -- with your dear one by your side, and wake each morning safe.

And I would pray to whatever gods may listen, that when we find ourselves in the next cycle of this miserable game, we face it as allies, as friends. As my brother, beneath the sun. Yes?

[corporeity]

I am afraid the gods do not hear our prayers here, but I hope for the same.

[ when he will always care for her, even if he trusts her far less than before. ]

Stay safe and, indeed, true to your heart, Lady Alia.