[ Nikolai politely pretends not to notice Astarion drinking the second bag of blood. His mind is a hurricane of questions. What would happen if Astarion didn't get enough blood to drink? Did he have to have a certain amount to stay alive per day? Per week? Did he also drink water or only blood? Would the blood of any animal do, or were there limitations - mammals only, that kind of thing?
But he'd promised not to pry and so he won't. He'll just have to do a little research of his own later on. ]
Oh, I think you misunderstand me.
[ Nikolai can see the discomfort in that half-smile. How many would-be heroes had Astarion see killed, tortured, or turned? Had some of them been his friends, his family? It certainly doesn't seem like a warning to be dismissed lightly. All traces of levity slip from Nikolai's face, leaving him looking grave. ]
I didn't offer to be a savior. Just an ally. I do believe that Cazador is every bit as dangerous as you say. You would certainly know better than I would. But please, don't let the blond hair and the pretty face fool you. I'm not hero material.
[ He says it without flourish or fanfare, but with cold certainty. He is not like Alina. He can pretend to the people that he's their bright-eyed heroic storybook king, full of virtue and goodness. But it's a mask, just like all the others. ]
Heroes have honor. They fight fair, and believe that justice will naturally prevail. I know what the world is, and I'm not afraid to fight dirty.
[ Even if Cazador can't be killed here, even if they're hopelessly outmatched, there must be a way. There is always a way. It's a philosophy that Nikolai clings to, in more matters than just this one. ]
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But he'd promised not to pry and so he won't. He'll just have to do a little research of his own later on. ]
Oh, I think you misunderstand me.
[ Nikolai can see the discomfort in that half-smile. How many would-be heroes had Astarion see killed, tortured, or turned? Had some of them been his friends, his family? It certainly doesn't seem like a warning to be dismissed lightly. All traces of levity slip from Nikolai's face, leaving him looking grave. ]
I didn't offer to be a savior. Just an ally. I do believe that Cazador is every bit as dangerous as you say. You would certainly know better than I would. But please, don't let the blond hair and the pretty face fool you. I'm not hero material.
[ He says it without flourish or fanfare, but with cold certainty. He is not like Alina. He can pretend to the people that he's their bright-eyed heroic storybook king, full of virtue and goodness. But it's a mask, just like all the others. ]
Heroes have honor. They fight fair, and believe that justice will naturally prevail. I know what the world is, and I'm not afraid to fight dirty.
[ Even if Cazador can't be killed here, even if they're hopelessly outmatched, there must be a way. There is always a way. It's a philosophy that Nikolai clings to, in more matters than just this one. ]
Just... keep it in mind, is all I am asking.