It isn't as if they're going to give us any more. You either take the fight in front of you or take the knife in the back, and I'd sure as shit rather see that sword coming.
Yes. And I'd rather us not end up at the mercy of some plot we can only see the edges of, myself.
[He did, but. Not quite so clearly. At least, he believed that they'd be safe, that if they focused on not being killed and not being scapegoated and just surviving. He thought he knew himself enough to know that they wouldn't get to him as long as he steadfastly refused to believe.
But he feels doubt creeping in already, as much as he doesn't want to. Bull will kill to save Par Vollen. How could he not, how could he even allow for the slightest chance they aren't bluffing? The hopelessness of preventing Bull from going ahead with this triggers his own terror; he'll do it, and he'll die, and then Dorian. He'll be alone here.
And it feels wrong, too, somehow, to just accept that it has to be that way. As though Corypheus' actions have nothing to do with him, because it isn't his country under attack. It will be his country that accepts Corypheus with open arms if it comes with the conquest of the Qunari. He can't act as though he has the luxury of gambling here when he knows full well Bull doesn't.
This isn't going to end well, especially not for him. Deals with demons never do. If only he could clearly see any other option.
He takes a deep breath, trying to keep himself steady. It's won't do to be overcome when he's the one of them who ought to know what to do.]
There may be some other way. Don't do this yet. Stall, to the extent you can.
[Bull simply nods. It isn't loaded with any meaning beyond acknowledging the hesitation. Dorian knows what he needs to to understand, to know that he has to do this. It isn't as if a great weight has been lifted - Bull prefers to carry his own secrets. He can trust his own instincts, his own face not to betray them. But he can't do it alone either.
The unmentioned battle continues to be if a demon knows his mind well enough to know Par Vollen, surely they'd know the easiest way to manipulate him. It's easier not to think about. To only move forward.]
They haven't asked me to yet. I won't do anything until I'm sure.
You won't do it without telling me, either, will you?
[He means that to sound practical, and hopes it doesn't come across needy, instead, like he suspects it does. None of this has anything to do with anything about the two of them as individuals, it isn't personal. It wouldn't be fair to demand consideration on any personal basis, it isn't something he's owed. He just doesn't want to hesitate until it's too late, until Bull loses whatever faith he had in Dorian's ability to unravel this threat and comes up with his own solution.]
If it comes to it, I'll do what I can to see you through. It isn't as though the scenario doesn't matter to me. It's only that the best method will be to kill them before anything they threaten comes to pass.
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[He lets him keep his hand there, just letting his statement hang for a moment. You can't deny it isn't persuasive either.]
Also don't think it's an idle threat.
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[Taking a deep breath, and lacing his fingers through his. For his own sake, too.]
But... Fasta Vass. This isn't going to end well.
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[Dorian should know that by now. Surely.]
It isn't as if they're going to give us any more. You either take the fight in front of you or take the knife in the back, and I'd sure as shit rather see that sword coming.
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[He did, but. Not quite so clearly. At least, he believed that they'd be safe, that if they focused on not being killed and not being scapegoated and just surviving. He thought he knew himself enough to know that they wouldn't get to him as long as he steadfastly refused to believe.
But he feels doubt creeping in already, as much as he doesn't want to. Bull will kill to save Par Vollen. How could he not, how could he even allow for the slightest chance they aren't bluffing? The hopelessness of preventing Bull from going ahead with this triggers his own terror; he'll do it, and he'll die, and then Dorian. He'll be alone here.
And it feels wrong, too, somehow, to just accept that it has to be that way. As though Corypheus' actions have nothing to do with him, because it isn't his country under attack. It will be his country that accepts Corypheus with open arms if it comes with the conquest of the Qunari. He can't act as though he has the luxury of gambling here when he knows full well Bull doesn't.
This isn't going to end well, especially not for him. Deals with demons never do. If only he could clearly see any other option.
He takes a deep breath, trying to keep himself steady. It's won't do to be overcome when he's the one of them who ought to know what to do.]
There may be some other way. Don't do this yet. Stall, to the extent you can.
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The unmentioned battle continues to be if a demon knows his mind well enough to know Par Vollen, surely they'd know the easiest way to manipulate him. It's easier not to think about. To only move forward.]
They haven't asked me to yet. I won't do anything until I'm sure.
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[He means that to sound practical, and hopes it doesn't come across needy, instead, like he suspects it does. None of this has anything to do with anything about the two of them as individuals, it isn't personal. It wouldn't be fair to demand consideration on any personal basis, it isn't something he's owed. He just doesn't want to hesitate until it's too late, until Bull loses whatever faith he had in Dorian's ability to unravel this threat and comes up with his own solution.]
If it comes to it, I'll do what I can to see you through. It isn't as though the scenario doesn't matter to me. It's only that the best method will be to kill them before anything they threaten comes to pass.