disingenuous | aventurine catchall

[ If only he could let go. Even if it's just one thing. It would lessen the burden, wouldn't it?

But he's weak, he's sentimental, and while his sister's face has long since faded from his memories, her final request for him to preserve what's left of their clan still rings in his ears. ]

... Sincere advice. Does it come from dealing with your own faith, or lack thereof?

There isn't much of a god that's revered in my world.

[ the world building in her novel world needs a lot of work, and much of her life has made her lose faith in the good that it holds. ]

But my family isn't one that's known much for their love or kindness either. Most of them would be more like whoever came to attack your clan.

[ Now that gives him pause, and he thinks back to that memory that he'd witnessed, the exam she had been made to undertake. ]

And should they ask you to do such a thing, would you do it? Take innocent lives solely for the sake of bloodshed?

[ she gives him a smile devoid of any warmth or feeling. ]

I wouldn't be here if I didn't.

[ she would be dead like the illusion of a brother she had to kill. ]

Out of necessity, wasn't it? Does your family still hold such power over you even to this day?

[ Smiles back, also without warmth. ]

Or have you fully assimilated into the flock?

Make a guess first, and I'll tell you if you're right.

[ Studies Roxana for a moment. ]

... I think you're clever enough to play the long con, and I think that you'll do whatever it takes to survive.

[ ... ]

I'm sorely tempted to lie to you.

You can if you'd like. I'd even play along.

[ why are they like this ]

Such sweet words to say for a first meeting. It's a lot of pretending you're doing, but that must not be anything new for you.

[ why ARE they like this ]