[ Apology? An apology? That was, quite honestly, the last thing Rutile was expecting. He looks up briefly at Shalem before dropping his gaze to the ground again. ]
No... It's okay. You had no choice. And you said yourself it was luck, so, so...
[ It simply was not on his side that time around. In his daze he didn't quite register them figuring out the trick, so that's simply not something he's thinking about.
Either way, he'll grab what he can of Shalem—his arm, probably—and shake his head. ]
[He can tell Rutile is really not as strong as he would like to present-- in many definitions of the word. Thus, Shalem simply picks him up in his arms, barely even registering his weight (17). Clearly a Caster-- rarely do they have any meat on their bones, Shalem being a rare exception due to what he decided to specialize in.]
You know, there are many, many reasons for that, and in this last few minutes alone. Like, say, shooting you.
[Shalem wonders if he'd still say that if he saw the argument with Atem, or even took a peek at Shalem's thoughts throughout this place. Or even in the previous places. Or perhaps he's the sort who's easily swayed by public opinion-- the serpent has quite a lot of bad press, after all. Nobody likes him here, and that's fine by him.
He's been a loner all his life, and he will die alone.]
Very well. Since you're so set on that, I shan't fight it.
[ And conversely, Shalem doesn't know the sort of company Rutile keeps on the regular. The second most powerful man in the world, who would seal Rutile away if only because Rutile's freedom is his inconvenience. A man who has lied to him since birth, who sees him as leverage, a tool. Liars, manipulators, cold-hearted pragmatists.
Yet despite what truths they have, he cares for them all the same. Even if he saw the argument, read his thoughts, it's likely Rutile's opinion would remain unchanged.
He's been surrounded by love and family his whole life, and he will die at the hands of love and family. ]
Hehe. [ At least this conversation has done wonders to soothe his nerves in the meanwhile. He reaches up to pat Shalem on the face, in a mirror of their first meeting. ] I win.
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No... It's okay. You had no choice. And you said yourself it was luck, so, so...
[ It simply was not on his side that time around. In his daze he didn't quite register them figuring out the trick, so that's simply not something he's thinking about.
Either way, he'll grab what he can of Shalem—his arm, probably—and shake his head. ]
But, apology accepted. I forgive you.
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You're far too generous to me.
[But he doesn't pull his arm away, he just lets Rutile have it so the man can stabilize himself.]
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[ It's not like he hasn't heard that before. Rutile squeezes, his eyes drifting back up to Shalem. ]
But we're allies now, and we'll be friends when we leave this place.
[ Weakly, he tries to smile. It comes off a little strained. ]
Why wouldn't I be?
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You know, there are many, many reasons for that, and in this last few minutes alone. Like, say, shooting you.
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It's true, he is very skinny, and very light. ]
But I know you didn't do it out of a place of malice. You didn't do it because you wanted to kill me.
[ His voice is a little firmer now that part of his functions aren't going towards trying to walk. ]
And so forgiving you is easy.
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He's been a loner all his life, and he will die alone.]
Very well. Since you're so set on that, I shan't fight it.
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Yet despite what truths they have, he cares for them all the same. Even if he saw the argument, read his thoughts, it's likely Rutile's opinion would remain unchanged.
He's been surrounded by love and family his whole life, and he will die at the hands of love and family. ]
Hehe. [ At least this conversation has done wonders to soothe his nerves in the meanwhile. He reaches up to pat Shalem on the face, in a mirror of their first meeting. ] I win.
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[Silly little Rutile.]
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[ Hehe. ]