monsterstoyou | TLV Inbox

I'll tell him that you've decided to refuse all requests from me for the next three months.

[ Yes, all that 'nothing' he asks for will no longer be provided for him. ]

And I'll tell him that's a lie. You've done nothing wrong.

Of course I have! I believe it's called vigilante justice, isn't it? Unlawful imprisonment? Perhaps even kidnapping!

...dismemberment might be a bit of a stretch but a good enough lawyer could certainly make it stick.

Well I'm a better lawyer and I could get you off the hook entirely. You did right by sticking up for Hanna after years where any action taken to help another person was punished.

I'm standing by you on this, Vincent. Suck it up.

Nonsense.

[ His eyes are just a bit tired now. ]

It was manipulative. I did something to ensure that in the future, Hanna will value harm done to him more heavily than he would have otherwise, knowing that something will happen outside of his control if he doesn't. And I made sure the damn cat's eyes are on me as a target to vent his spleen.

While a warden is always a primary target, hopefully he'll be more inclined to aim for me instead as an indirect route.

Oh I certainly understand leveraging Hanna in this.

But if he comes for me I'm ready for him. And I'm going to amend your Admiral protections to keep you safe from CK's revenge should he try to take any.

I doubt he'll come for you, Lark. [ But he sounds more amused than annoyed or even insulting. ] I meant Hanna. Hanna has been far too forgiving. He savaged him not a few days before the fire for the terrible crime of offering condolences to him over someone's disappearance.

And if you don't mind reinforcing my locks, that would be quite helpful. I don't have much, but I'd prefer he didn't get his paws on what I do have.

Consider it done. Any other tweaks to your protections you have in mind?

Perhaps a prohibition on anything from my room leaving my room unless held by me. Protect the books and keep them from being used to frame Hanna or myself with mischief.

You're not going to talk me into punishing you for sticking your neck out for someone you love, Vincent. No. You're not being punished.

I don't believe I've asked to be punished. [ He's not stupid. He just puts himself where he wants the punishment to go to minimize the effect on him specifically. ] You asked for security concerns, and I've given them: my locks and security on my library specifically.

And to your person specifically? CK has his own lovers and fans, I'm sure.

You've already given me a blanket protection, one which I can temporarily extend to another person. Anything else would be paranoia, since I have no actual knowledge to make judgments on.

My main talent is in avoiding detection and staying out of the light. That won't change now. Sokie's more than happy enough to take the 'dangerous' label and I'm happy to give it to her. No one would ever believe I'm dangerous. And I like it that way, honestly.

All right, so when Arthur comes crying, what should I tell him?

Oh, Arthur won't believe any of it. He'll know right away that we were equal conspirators in all of this.

Tell him whatever you like. Mostly, I'd recommend sending him to me. He can vent his ire at me for leading his inmate astray.

I'd rather he vent at me. Since I'm your warden and I gave you the raw materials.

You hardly betrayed your responsibilities, since the damnable cat wasn't harmed, Lark.

But I asked something of him, and then inconvenienced him. It's a personal slight I've managed, not a wardenly one. If I promise to call you in should he flex any warden-type ire, will you let me handle it?

[he tips his head, curious]

Do you promise to call me in if he gets...wardenly?

I promise. Should he attempt any such thing, I will make sure to bring you into it.

Okay.

Good.

I'll fight for you, Vincent. I need you to know that.

I do, actually.

[ It makes him wonder if Lark would not fight for him as well. But that's a question for another night. ]

I hope you don't think I'm afraid of anything to come from any of this. I promise you. Nothing here scares me very much at all.

I'm glad because I'm not good at reassuring people against realistic threats. But I'm going to be the first line against whoever comes for you. Whatever that ends up looking like.

You'll do what you can, and people will do everything they can to get past you or circumvent you because no one can be everywhere. [ A deep breath in before he continues. ] Suffice to say that I do... understand... that I have your support. That I can [ a long pause as he finds the word, doesn't like it, but has to admit it's the right one ] rely... on you.

I know this is hard for you. I do.

But I'm proud to be the first you can rely on. I hope you can believe I'll do my best for you.

Would you believe me if I said I do actually believe you but I don't know what to do with it?

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