To this point, the entire talk had felt as if he were surrendering to Grady’s demands. Like his voice didn’t truly matter.
Grady and Akkuron wanted what they wanted, and Vale had no choice but to cede. At most he could pretend he had free will in the exchange, but he really didn’t.
He was nothing more than a marionette controlled by invisible strings.
The only thing he had on his side was Akkuron’s hubris...
They’d brought along soone weak.
Vale could tell that weakness was no disguise; it was true. They had been dressed up and hidden as a knight, but they moved so awkwardly it was laughable.
Vale took another step toward the person whose helt was shifting side to side in wild confusion at everything having gone still.
At first, Vale thought this person was so hidden talent ant to take Vale by surprise, but no. Their Aether paled compared to even Sivian’s. Add that to the fact Grady saw that Lust posed no threat to him. This led Vale to conclude this person was not so secret weapon.
’But here for utility.’
Vale’s current guess was a truth seer.
It was faint, but he could sense a similar feeling to when the [Shard of Truth] was active lingering in the air.
Although the truth of his conjecture was not entirely confirmable. Still, he decided to trust his instincts.
The person stepped back as Vale stepped forward with open palms.
"You don’t have to be scared. Look I’m unard."
The faux-knight jumped back and drew their sword.
"S-stay back!"
The voice was shrill and high-pitched...
’A woman.’
Seemingly a young one.
If so...
Vale had deactivated [Charm], [Fatal Attraction], and [Fla of Lust] as a courtesy — a show of non-aggression. But...
With a smile, Vale stopped restraining himself, letting the effects of [Charm] blossom in full.
"You know my words to be the truth, no? So, why are you scared?"
The woman backed up all the way to the edge of the fire.
"I..."
When she looked back and saw the flas, she dropped the sword. Her spirit utterly crushed.
Her hand shakily began to slide behind her to her back, like she was reaching for sothing.
Vale continued:
"I’m right, am I not? You can tell truth from lie? Or perhaps you possess a different ability. Either way, I an no harm."
Vale stopped before the knight, then crouched and offered his hand.
The woman looked up at him, her hand stopped moving as her gaze shot away.
"I..."
Vale flashed a warm smile as he reached out and flipped up her visor. Her eyes were a soft hazel that reflected the dancing pink light around them.
"No need to be shy. Soone with beautiful eyes like yours shouldn’t taint them with unease and fear."
Vale gestured for her to take his hand again.
Slowly and awkwardly, the woman slowly reached it toward Vale.
’Good...’
Pulled lightly, lifting her up. Then, he led her back toward the table.
"W-what do you want with ?"
"I just had a couple of questions about Akkuron and their intentions. I was hoping you could answer them for . You see, Grady is scary and his words are straightforward, but also vague. Much of what he wants from has gone unsaid and I’m honestly unsettled and uncertain about my future."
"I-I see."
Vale pulled the chair he was sitting in away from the table and offered it to the woman. He sat on the stone table.
"What’s your na?"
"Quill..."
’Quill? That’s an odd na.’
"What a unique na you have."
She looked away, a slight hint of dejection in her eyes.
"So I’ve been told..."
"What’s with that look?"
"It’s nothing."
"It’s never nothing. Do people often say your na is odd? Do you not like your na?"
The woman was quiet for a second as she awkwardly shuffled in the seat.
"What does this have to do with what you asked?"
"Ah, sorry... I was simply wondering what could make your beautiful eyes grow so sad and sour."
The woman’s gaze shied away.
"Yes. I’ve often been ridiculed and mocked for my na. But that seems quite irrelevant, no?"
Vale laughed.
"Irrelevant? You know I’m the Master of Lust, correct? If such a thing as self-pity and doubt is dulling one’s beauty, it’s my job to help."
"What do you an...?"
"Simple, Quill. Before I ask you about Akkuron, I want to resolve this minor issue. Your na is unique, yes. But uniqueness is the definition of beauty. Your na is beautiful in the truest and most honest sense. Or would you like to be part of the thousands walking around with the sa na? Not much beauty in that."
There was a slight sparkle in her eyes.
Vale added:
"So, don’t think of your na as sothing to be ashad of, but sothing to be proud of. Acknowledge and wear it with pride."
The woman shied away from his gaze.
"T-thank you for the kind words, Master of Lust."
Though it was unclear to Vale if what he said was having any effect on lulling her to trust him. However, each second that passed was a second in which the image of a typical Vice was broken and withered down. Vale was presenting himself as a human wearing the skin of a Vice, not the other way around. Sure, Akkuron looked at the Vice differently than others, but that different outlook spawned from a utilitarian mindset.
Either way, whether a favorable view of him was growing was of no concern.
He was more focused on getting rid of the unfavorable ones.
"Well, Quill. Before I ask you anything else, I’m wondering... Are there questions you have for ?"
Quill’s gaze drifted back to Vale.
"Pardon?"
"Well, it’s not every day one gets to talk with a Master of Vice, no? There’s probably much you and others are mightily curious about. Well, now’s your chance. Take it as compensation for this sudden, grating experience."
Quill started tapping the tips of her gauntlets together as she focused on Vale’s neck, avoiding his gaze.
"Well, uh... I guess there are a few things I’d like to ask."
Vale chuckled lightly, then said:
"Don’t hold back."
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