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[corporeity]

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@WATERDEEP

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[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.