[ The architect brushes him off too easily, he thinks, but he knows he's more bark than bite, now. Once upon a time, he had been a very vicious man, embittered by three betrayals that shaped his entire life, that tore into his soft body and left nothing but hardened scars and black, roiling anger.

Now, he thinks, he had been so foolish, so easily manipulated. So quick to descend into depravity. He is not worth the concern the architect levies at him.

He opts to respond with a disgruntled exhale as he turns his head away and crosses his arms. Kaveh is so honest, so considerate. He doesn't like it one bit.

(He likes it a lot, actually.) ]

Same as always. Working hard to keep Sumeru from imploding during the day, comforting children at night, in their dreams. You know, everything you'd expect a god who actually cares for her nation to do.

[ There's a barb in those words, but it's not directed at Kaveh. ]