[ The tone tells Seth that Sturmhond intends to watch and act. It's not an if, it's a when — because Stefan will slip up, in the state he is now.
And Seth will shoot anyone who comes after him for it. It doesn't change his relationship with Sturmhond, on his end, since he's always been willing to sacrificing everything for one person, even his personal connections. Their friendship is the same as before, but now Seth doesn't have the luxury of pretending his loved ones are on equal footing. ]
You danced around what I asked again. I know you're a liar, man, and normally I don't care, but you need to give it to me short and straight. What is your definition of threat? Because if it's anything other than an off the job attack, I won't and can't promise you shit.
[ Which is unusual for him, granted, but this isn't a subject he's playing lightly with. He also doesn't deny being a liar. He's careful, because his mind is not fully here. It's always on home, and on what he's risking, and aiming for.
In the end, though, no matter how much he pretends otherwise, he's still Nikolai Lantsov. He won't let anyone he cares about be harmed, if there's a way to prevent it. ]
A threat means your friend directly attacking someone. I know he has it in him. If it doesn't get to that stage, neither of you need be concerned about what I know, since it will stay with me.
That you're still worried at all tells me I was right to be concerned.
You don't know shit about him. [ and that's it, his own cold line of impatience. Then, he sighs. He won't lose anyone in this, if he can help it. ] What it tells you is what I said. That there won't be outright attacks, and I'll personally shoot anybody who goes after him, no exceptions. I've made an extra deal to protect my people here, specifically, him included. And if you or the musketeers or whoever act against him or Elena Gilbert, you're going against me, my deal, and you're going to lose. [ A brief pause for effect as much as thought. Then, a shade lighter. ] Oh, and for Christ's sake don't give Gilbert any more panic attacks. Girl's been through enough.
I've heard your warning. That's mine. Are we clear?
I'm not stupid. I know what you said. You singled Stefan out specifically with the actions that you've taken, and you've admitted that you would spread his weaknesses around, if he became a threat or whatever. To me, that counts as 'going after him,' even if it's warranted in your eyes.
I think we disagree on what everything that's happened today means, and that's fine, as long as we both know it.
[ it's not a misunderstanding; it's a difference of perspective. that's why they'll be on opposite sides, if something should happen. Seth's willing to accept that. ]
There isn't a difference to me, sorry. [ He almost says, you wouldn't have time to help someone but that's as inflammatory as it is true, so he stops himself. He has a curious habit of being angry when everyone else is calm, and calm when others are angry. ]
It's not about trust because I know you're a big damn hero — so you'll do what you said and nothing more or less. I hear you, and I'm saying that I'll fight you on it, if it comes down to it.
Then you would expect me to die, or to let others die, to save our aggressor.
[ Just checking where you stand here, Seth, because those are the stakes. This will never even be an issue if Stefan is not the one who started something. ]
That's good to know.
You have the only promise I'm giving you. I don't believe there's more to say here.
[ He scoffs, a short sound. No one ever listens to him when he says that he's no good, even though it's all right there in his file (written in the bank teller's blood). Seth doesn't care about other people.
He cares about his people. Seth Gecko isn't damned like his brother, but he's a sinner all the same. A thief and a killer, when he wants to be, taking hostages and lives as the situation calls for it. It's easy to say he did what he had to do, what anybody would do, but he never had to choose this life, not really. There's always another option. It's not survival with him; it's selfishness. Vanessa gave him an out: a hunky dory life by the beach. No stealing, no murder, just them.
Not enough. ]
Nice ten dollar word there. He's not an aggressor, but yeah, I'd kill those supposed 'others' myself. [ He's done it before with Richie. He'll do it again. ] The only people who get to go at him are the instructors. [ And even then, Seth would likely stand his ground. ] He didn't attack anybody, and he won't on my watch. So, if you stay out of his business, we're cool as ever, slim.
[ With that, he disconnects the call. That's what guys like him do in the movies. However childish it may seem, they end things on their terms. ]
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no subject
And Seth will shoot anyone who comes after him for it. It doesn't change his relationship with Sturmhond, on his end, since he's always been willing to sacrificing everything for one person, even his personal connections. Their friendship is the same as before, but now Seth doesn't have the luxury of pretending his loved ones are on equal footing. ]
You danced around what I asked again. I know you're a liar, man, and normally I don't care, but you need to give it to me short and straight. What is your definition of threat? Because if it's anything other than an off the job attack, I won't and can't promise you shit.
no subject
[ Which is unusual for him, granted, but this isn't a subject he's playing lightly with. He also doesn't deny being a liar. He's careful, because his mind is not fully here. It's always on home, and on what he's risking, and aiming for.
In the end, though, no matter how much he pretends otherwise, he's still Nikolai Lantsov. He won't let anyone he cares about be harmed, if there's a way to prevent it. ]
A threat means your friend directly attacking someone. I know he has it in him. If it doesn't get to that stage, neither of you need be concerned about what I know, since it will stay with me.
That you're still worried at all tells me I was right to be concerned.
no subject
I've heard your warning. That's mine. Are we clear?
no subject
Some of the ice in his tone melts, for a moment. ]
If she was upset, Seth, that wasn't my intent. I was calm. I didn't want her to see me as a threat, because I don't want to be one.
[ But it hardens again. ]
That said, I already told you that no one was going after him. All I have said, and consistently - to you and Elena - is that I'll defend myself.
That is what I would do against any who threaten me. Regardless of who or what they are.
[ Including if it's you. ]
If that is clear, we're done here.
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I think we disagree on what everything that's happened today means, and that's fine, as long as we both know it.
[ it's not a misunderstanding; it's a difference of perspective. that's why they'll be on opposite sides, if something should happen. Seth's willing to accept that. ]
no subject
[ He's not talking about announcing this to the community. He's not spreading anything around, nor did he tell Elena that he would. ]
This isn't a lie, regardless of what you think of me. If you think my word means nothing, that is your own concern. I'll keep it anyway.
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It's not about trust because I know you're a big damn hero — so you'll do what you said and nothing more or less. I hear you, and I'm saying that I'll fight you on it, if it comes down to it.
no subject
[ Just checking where you stand here, Seth, because those are the stakes. This will never even be an issue if Stefan is not the one who started something. ]
That's good to know.
You have the only promise I'm giving you. I don't believe there's more to say here.
DISCONNECT.
He cares about his people. Seth Gecko isn't damned like his brother, but he's a sinner all the same. A thief and a killer, when he wants to be, taking hostages and lives as the situation calls for it. It's easy to say he did what he had to do, what anybody would do, but he never had to choose this life, not really. There's always another option. It's not survival with him; it's selfishness. Vanessa gave him an out: a hunky dory life by the beach. No stealing, no murder, just them.
Not enough. ]
Nice ten dollar word there. He's not an aggressor, but yeah, I'd kill those supposed 'others' myself. [ He's done it before with Richie. He'll do it again. ] The only people who get to go at him are the instructors. [ And even then, Seth would likely stand his ground. ] He didn't attack anybody, and he won't on my watch. So, if you stay out of his business, we're cool as ever, slim.
[ With that, he disconnects the call. That's what guys like him do in the movies. However childish it may seem, they end things on their terms. ]