[ Fair enough. He has more patience than she...but he has always been in a role where it has been necessary for him to maintain a certain decorum. She has gone too long without needing to adhere to many rules, half of her life spent in the Circle and the other half as a Warden. She gives him a smile as he turns to look at her, and her brighter expression sobers up quickly.
They are here to work. She remembers that, even if she'd rather see him continue to smile.
Neria hums thoughtfully, glancing over his shoulder to keep an eye on the rest of the room at his back as he speaks. When she replies, it is quiet, her tone low. ]
The Duke could equally be as desperate. I'll agree that it seems unlikely he would align himself with Corypheus; he seems the type to prefer something less subtle, something that would reclaim his honor as he ascends the throne. Aligning with a magister won't do that.
Briala... Calculated, possibly dangerous, but I don't think she would help Corypheus of her own accord. I don't believe she'd try to kill Celene, either. Not outright, not here. She has plenty of other opportunities, and to have the Empress killed at her own party will have her be martyred for it.
[ Neria pauses, thinking that over. ]
Or, perhaps that's all the more reason to do it tonight... Still, I don't think she's the type.
[ Briefly, her eyes follow a couple as they steal away into the trophy hallway and are, of course, berated by the older generals still conversing about their war days. She frowns. ]
...What if Celene is the one working with Corypheus to ensure her place on the throne? And tonight, he's sending someone to kill her so he can take it for himself?
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They are here to work. She remembers that, even if she'd rather see him continue to smile.
Neria hums thoughtfully, glancing over his shoulder to keep an eye on the rest of the room at his back as he speaks. When she replies, it is quiet, her tone low. ]
The Duke could equally be as desperate. I'll agree that it seems unlikely he would align himself with Corypheus; he seems the type to prefer something less subtle, something that would reclaim his honor as he ascends the throne. Aligning with a magister won't do that.
Briala... Calculated, possibly dangerous, but I don't think she would help Corypheus of her own accord. I don't believe she'd try to kill Celene, either. Not outright, not here. She has plenty of other opportunities, and to have the Empress killed at her own party will have her be martyred for it.
[ Neria pauses, thinking that over. ]
Or, perhaps that's all the more reason to do it tonight... Still, I don't think she's the type.
[ Briefly, her eyes follow a couple as they steal away into the trophy hallway and are, of course, berated by the older generals still conversing about their war days. She frowns. ]
...What if Celene is the one working with Corypheus to ensure her place on the throne? And tonight, he's sending someone to kill her so he can take it for himself?