[ as soon as the shock settles, olivia is quick to try to alleviate kotlira's worries. her hands fly up, waving hastily in the air with a step forward. ]
P-Please, do not worry! I won't tell a soul! I won't even let Tobi— I mean Spades know I know! I promise your secret's safe with me!
He will. He always does. Still, I have failed him. He--prefers not to use that name anymore.
[ And it's not that Koltira doesn't understand it. He doesn't use his old house name for a reason. He sticks with the 'Deathweaver' epithet, even though he dislikes it, even though it always invites irritating comments.
[ olivia steps closer, gently settling a hand over the man's arm to rub it consolingly. ]
You made a mistake — everyone does. But if I know him at all, I think he would hate to see you be so hard on yourself over something he would apparently easily forgive you for. Maybe that would even be failing him more, hm?
[ she smiles with ease because of her relief. she would hate for there to be trouble between the two men, both of whom have done to much to ensure her own happiness.
tenderly, she cups his cheek, then reaches down to slip her arm through his. ]
Now, [ she says, not so much dismissively as she is eager to move on to less dreary things, ] shall we salt the earth?
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P-Please, do not worry! I won't tell a soul! I won't even let Tobi— I mean Spades know I know! I promise your secret's safe with me!
[ yes, she's so smooth. ]
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No. I will have to admit what I've done.
[ THAT'S THE HONORABLE THING. ]
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But... But surely he'll understand? It was an honest mistake.
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He will. He always does. Still, I have failed him. He--prefers not to use that name anymore.
[ And it's not that Koltira doesn't understand it. He doesn't use his old house name for a reason. He sticks with the 'Deathweaver' epithet, even though he dislikes it, even though it always invites irritating comments.
He just--slipped. ]
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You made a mistake — everyone does. But if I know him at all, I think he would hate to see you be so hard on yourself over something he would apparently easily forgive you for. Maybe that would even be failing him more, hm?
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... I know it.
[ Koltira's stubborn, but he can take advice. Sometimes. From certain people. ]
Thank you, Olivia.
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tenderly, she cups his cheek, then reaches down to slip her arm through his. ]
Now, [ she says, not so much dismissively as she is eager to move on to less dreary things, ] shall we salt the earth?