[ She blinks a couple of times at that statement. ]
I don't think I've ever seen you embarrassed. I'd almost pay to see it happen.
[ But. Main topic. She nods and steps back a little so she's not... clinging to him....
Then she takes out her patch and shows it to him. ]
I'm an official member of the Neheda crew. Not just a recruit in training. We get a little more information now, not a lot but some more. And leading roles.
[ Like a lightning strike. Bemused, Nikolai smiles and reaches to trace his thumb over it. ]
They must think you're a Squallor. I hope you didn't correct them.
[ Then he raises his eyes to hers. His smile is more genuine now, though some of the worry has returned. Greater clearance means more information.
It also means they've taken note of her. And they're watching her. And they're dangerous, and if she puts a foot out of line... ]
Gliese has a good eye in her head. She knows a leader when she sees one. You'll do well, Alina. I presume this is information you're not allowed to share?
[ The corner of his mouth flicks upwards in a crooked smile. He shakes his head. ]
Modesty is unbecoming, lovely. You know how I feel about that.
Months ago you told me you wanted to lead an army, and I scoffed at it because you had no experience to speak of. And then you did it, and they clamoured to follow you.
Remember all you know, and you'll be fine. I would have chosen you. [ A pause. ] I did choose you. I can believe the CDC could be wrong, but I'm certainly confident in my own choices.
[ He looks at her steadily, and reaches to take hold of her arms. ]
No different at all. You assert yourself. You speak with authority, and you hold your strength clear of them. No one takes it from you. You meet insults with laughter, and challenges with victories, and you know the difference between them. When they scoff at you, smile at them. You know all of this already. You just have to do it.
[ He lets out a thoughtful little hum, and then shakes his head. ]
If I were, I wouldn't ask it so coldly. [ A slight smile. ] There's some lessons I'm capable of learning.
Realistically though, if you give me orders I'll obey them. [ A smile twitches at his lips. ] The CDC are serious, Alina. Neither of us ought to take them lightly.
Perhaps if I escort you, you'll make less of a habit of vanishing on me.
[ This time he says it playfully, and his arm hooks up to hold hers. When he starts to walk, he whistles for Korol, whose head shoots up. The bahari nips Koroleva playfully, and then rushes to take point ahead of Nikolai and Alina. As if the cat is the true escort. ]
Is that the exchange now? You'll escort me around so I can't disappear?
[ Despite what almost sounds like complaining, she's smiling still and holding his arm like they did back at the palace. Koroleva comes running with Korol, following Nikolai almost as easily as she follows alina and running out ahead of Korol to show she's the Queen. ]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
I don't think I've ever seen you embarrassed. I'd almost pay to see it happen.
[ But. Main topic. She nods and steps back a little so she's not... clinging to him....
Then she takes out her patch and shows it to him. ]
I'm an official member of the Neheda crew. Not just a recruit in training. We get a little more information now, not a lot but some more. And leading roles.
no subject
They must think you're a Squallor. I hope you didn't correct them.
[ Then he raises his eyes to hers. His smile is more genuine now, though some of the worry has returned. Greater clearance means more information.
It also means they've taken note of her. And they're watching her. And they're dangerous, and if she puts a foot out of line... ]
Gliese has a good eye in her head. She knows a leader when she sees one. You'll do well, Alina. I presume this is information you're not allowed to share?
no subject
Some things I won't be able to share. At least until you get your own patch.
[ She frowns. ] There are a lot of people here better at this than me. I'm willing to do the work and effort, but you're already better than I am.
no subject
Modesty is unbecoming, lovely. You know how I feel about that.
Months ago you told me you wanted to lead an army, and I scoffed at it because you had no experience to speak of. And then you did it, and they clamoured to follow you.
Remember all you know, and you'll be fine. I would have chosen you. [ A pause. ] I did choose you. I can believe the CDC could be wrong, but I'm certainly confident in my own choices.
no subject
You might have been kind of crazy to allow me.
Leading the Grisha is different from leading a bunch of people I don't know.
[ But she nods her head. ] I'll still do my best. You'll probably still have to coach me, though.
no subject
[ He looks at her steadily, and reaches to take hold of her arms. ]
No different at all. You assert yourself. You speak with authority, and you hold your strength clear of them. No one takes it from you. You meet insults with laughter, and challenges with victories, and you know the difference between them. When they scoff at you, smile at them. You know all of this already. You just have to do it.
no subject
Hey, maybe if I really mess up I can embarrass you by saying you trained me.
Maybe then I could finally see you embarrassed.
no subject
And of course, I'm proud of you already. Deflecting a serious situation and turning it into humour? A classic move.
no subject
I rank higher than you now. I could boss you around.
no subject
I should probably worry about the amount of pleasure you sound like you'd take in that.
no subject
no subject
What are your orders, then, Moi Soverenyi? Ask, and I shall gladly obey.
no subject
She doesn't hesitate to punch him in the arm. ]
Not fair. [ She crosses her arms and looks away from him now. ]
no subject
[ He makes a show of rubbing his arm, as if he's offended. In truth he's grinning. ]
You can make sport of us, but I can't? That's not how it works, Alina my dear.
no subject
Just... not Soverenyi. Please.
That was his name.
no subject
That's what they call you now, lovely. Don't think I haven't heard it.
And besides, if you'd like to change it to Tsaritsa, we need to have a whole other conversation.
no subject
Are you proposing? Again?
no subject
If I were, I wouldn't ask it so coldly. [ A slight smile. ] There's some lessons I'm capable of learning.
Realistically though, if you give me orders I'll obey them. [ A smile twitches at his lips. ] The CDC are serious, Alina. Neither of us ought to take them lightly.
no subject
Good thing I'm not power-hungry, then. [ She thinks. Actually..... ]
no subject
Are we still talking about the CDC?
no subject
Yes.
[ Pause. ]
I don't know.
no subject
You confuse me, sometimes.
Let's walk for a while. The camp makes me unsociable. We can pretend we're in the gardens again.
no subject
It's been awhile since you escorted me anywhere.
no subject
Perhaps if I escort you, you'll make less of a habit of vanishing on me.
[ This time he says it playfully, and his arm hooks up to hold hers. When he starts to walk, he whistles for Korol, whose head shoots up. The bahari nips Koroleva playfully, and then rushes to take point ahead of Nikolai and Alina. As if the cat is the true escort. ]
no subject
[ Despite what almost sounds like complaining, she's smiling still and holding his arm like they did back at the palace. Koroleva comes running with Korol, following Nikolai almost as easily as she follows alina and running out ahead of Korol to show she's the Queen. ]
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)