[it is not a message alia wants, not by half -- her suspicions linger on the unknown, the sneaking, the unfamiliar. her circle is small by design, but each in it is above reproach, in her eyes.
so, her response is prompt:] With what evidence? Your magics do not require blood. You are no butcher, to my knowledge. If you would ask me not to argue, for the sake of your beloved, I will grant this.
But I will not accept your name as guilty, until all is revealed.
I ask you not to argue, for the sake of my beloved and more. If you have any love for me, still, you will allow me this.
My magics can require anything at all. I have brewed potions with bone and blood. Knife, pestle and mortar. In my role as Guardian, I knew every weapon as if it were an extension of myself. I have set fire with a gesture and compelled with a word. If August is not our magician, someone must be. You have felt my magic on your skin, Alia. You have smelled it in the air. You surely recognised it, as Shadowheart and I did, at the scene of the burnings.
I do not know it is me any more than I know it is him, but if I do not present the case, another will do it for us. Astarion deserves better than that, when so many would render him monstrous for the fact of his teeth.
[the pause is weighty, heavy with thought. from anyone else, the case would be enough for alia to agree, to allow her mind to win out, to cast the votes and react justice.
but she thinks of gale in sol & scroll, gale by the water's edge, gale seeing her wicked and wanting and wretched and not fleeing. and her heart stutters and rebels and wins out, once again. she has voted with it for every round thus far.
now:] Do you ask me to vote for your condemnation?
[ alia. just-alia. giggling at the faire, surrounded by her spoils. legs dangling in the water, the sun on her face. her sorrows in the remembrance pool. her laughter in the shop. her hurt, when he doubted her so recently.
he should be caged, for doing this to her. ]
No. You may, if the evidence demands it of you.
I am sorry I doubted you, when you acted with your heart. I do the same now. You've every right to despise me for it.
I only ask that you do not vote for Astarion's imprisonment or counter my case.
I will tell what I know, and no more. I will not name your dear one and I will not undermine your case.
And I will not despise you, Gale of Waterdeep. I could never.
[a beat. then:] And if the truth reveals you as culprit, I will not seek vengeance. Paul himself may decide what penance he requests, and he is as kind as I am wicked. There has been enough suffering, in these games.
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@waterdeep — text.
Within the parameters of the accusation, I think it most likely I harmed your Paul. I do not wish you to hear this from any other, nor in the crowd.
If it is me, justice is yours.
no subject
so, her response is prompt:] With what evidence?
Your magics do not require blood. You are no butcher, to my knowledge.
If you would ask me not to argue, for the sake of your beloved, I will grant this.
But I will not accept your name as guilty, until all is revealed.
no subject
My magics can require anything at all. I have brewed potions with bone and blood. Knife, pestle and mortar. In my role as Guardian, I knew every weapon as if it were an extension of myself. I have set fire with a gesture and compelled with a word. If August is not our magician, someone must be. You have felt my magic on your skin, Alia. You have smelled it in the air. You surely recognised it, as Shadowheart and I did, at the scene of the burnings.
I do not know it is me any more than I know it is him, but if I do not present the case, another will do it for us. Astarion deserves better than that, when so many would render him monstrous for the fact of his teeth.
And perhaps I do, too.
no subject
but she thinks of gale in sol & scroll, gale by the water's edge, gale seeing her wicked and wanting and wretched and not fleeing. and her heart stutters and rebels and wins out, once again. she has voted with it for every round thus far.
now:] Do you ask me to vote for your condemnation?
no subject
he should be caged, for doing this to her. ]
No. You may, if the evidence demands it of you.
I am sorry I doubted you, when you acted with your heart. I do the same now. You've every right to despise me for it.
I only ask that you do not vote for Astarion's imprisonment or counter my case.
no subject
And I will not despise you, Gale of Waterdeep. I could never.
[a beat. then:] And if the truth reveals you as culprit, I will not seek vengeance. Paul himself may decide what penance he requests, and he is as kind as I am wicked. There has been enough suffering, in these games.