[ It can be useful to be brutal, and to be rude. Sturmhond knows this, and would behave in a similar way from time to time.

But it has a downside, too. Arrogance that seems careless doesn't convey intelligence. She doesn't seem unbreakable when she's very clearly not, and they both know it. ]

The problem with trying to play yourself is that, regardless of the outcome, you'll always lose. Secrets are a commodity, I don't deny that. Selling them will make you as many enemies as it does friends. The pretence of invincibility won't prevent that.