noreasonneeded | IC/Overflow Post

A saint is just a person with a large audience for their parlor tricks. The influence they wield may be worth noting but their existence is nothing worth falling to one’s knees over in my opinion.

I thought as much. Also, my time and value hasn’t diminished based upon my previous payout.

And what do you think will happen once you grant it your pardon?

were it your country in peril and you wore the crown, you might be surprised at what you'd fall to your knees over. miss starkov didn't win that cold, black heart of yours? you'll have what you ask for. conveniently for me, you haven't asked for anything. i'd lose my crown. the proof would likely be hanged. so naturally, it can't come to that. i look so good in lantsov blue, it would be criminal in itself to deprive the people of this view. moreover, my face is already on the money. imagine the costs incurred.

Responsibilities don’t begin and end with those wearing a crown. I like Alina fine as a person. I’ve no inclination to worship her as a saint.

I’d think you’d worry more if it was left as an open offer of you in my debt. Though the favor of a king is only as good as he’s still in fashion, so better off to settle the score now just in case. The gold can be set at the same price as last time, since you’ve said once more Ravka’s fate is in the balance. I might also need your ship to make a detour after I’ve assisted you on its way to dropping me back off at Kerch.

Perhaps it would cost less if they just put mustaches on all the coins to disguise your features. No, I meant what’s your plan for avoiding that outcome. Once your package to the past is opened.

she never really liked the worshiping bit. i find it's those least deserving who take a shine to it. luckily for you, i never go out of style. did i say ravka's fate hangs in the balance? it sounds like an exaggeration. but you'll have your gold, and you're welcome to the use of my beloved ship. well, sturmhond's ship. the crew will take you where you need to go, as long as it doesn't lead to certain doom. does it? i'll have a mock-up drafted. my plan for avoiding that outcome is that you don't tell anyone about the contents of the box. my urgent business with you will make no mention of a personal package that likely contains useless sentiment. i want it all the same. now do you see why i need your discretion and no one else's? general nazyalensky could likely destroy it, which is the smartest course of action in this scenario. she's the strongest grisha i know. i simply don't want the thing destroyed.

Not to start the world ending, but I actually agree with you on that one. Though I don’t think anyone really deserves it. Those that enjoy it though are more suspect.

Certainly not my doom. Your ship and crew should be fine.

I’m starting to gather you might want my discretion. I’ve no reason to share your secret, Lantsov. Other than you later on giving me one, I imagine you’re safe in that regard.

i have a horse named punchline. he's a little piebald pony with crooked ears. he deserves it. should be or will be? you're not an easy man to trust, brekker. i like to see the good in people, but i also know when i'm being willfully foolish about something. this is one of those situations when i'm choosing to be the fool. and trusting you isn't even the worst decision i'm making.

Are you saying I should worship your pony if he makes you the target of a joke?

I’ll protect your crew while they’re with me. After all, I need them to get me back to Ketterdam after.

What is life if not calculating risks versus the rewards?

or just because he has the delightfully steady disposition of a lump of rock. it's nice to have something reliable around the palace. oh, is that the reason? luckily for us all, i value remaining alive to see another joyous day over keeping my pride. now who's the poet? you should put down your businessman license and pursue other avenues more suited to your artistic soul. do you think this risk is worth the reward? be honest now.

Can’t even count on your kitchens to produce a good meal? Or are you too afraid of poisoning?

It’s certainly what came first to mind. I’d rather not have to swim back to Ketterdam or buy passage on another ship.

And put all that diligent time spent gathering [sometimes forged] licenses to waste? Hardly.

Honestly? I don’t know enough about what this crime in the box is, or how you plan to keep it secret once opened, to make that call. I do know though that when personal affairs get involved, the bleeding over tends to leave stains.

Edited 2023-05-12 15:07 (UTC)

not at all. my brother tried to poison me when i was twelve, so it lost its novelty for me at a young age. the saints rest his soul. it would be quite the long swim. no ship will take you if you sink mine. good thing we both agree that you won't. the only reward that might come out of this is that i get to know a little more of a man i've spent the whole of my life wondering about. if everyone already believes me a bastard, then what really changes? you get richer. i, hopefully, get some answers. that's all. you'll have to stay and burn the evidence after i'm done with it. i can't be trusted to, so i need someone impartial and motivated solely by financial gain.

Then there’s another thing you can count on aside from your pony.

You underestimate my skills of persuasion. I’ve no interest in going through the effort of acquiring another ship though, so your crew shall be fine.

Whether people believe you a bastard or not matters less than how you use their perception either way. If it’s the truth that matters to you, then yes, that’s a different story.

I’ll be certain to add on an incineration tax to the final tally.

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