|| destroy me ;; destroy you ||
The presence of such worthless words born from the sonorous proclamation of apparent pride, a worthless place in itself, resonated within the herald’s mind just as they did within the stifling stone walls of the Chantry—a touch upon every frayed nerve, debilitation threatening as ears and windows rattled alike in resistance…and then at once, relief when the echoes fade into nothingness. They were the sounds of a great serpent feasting upon its own tail, and what a daunting task that was for the herald to bear witness. Should this serpent soon choke upon himself, it would make little difference for it was not the rich tones of his voice that unsettled Illythyrra, but his E Y E S—cold, relentless, hungry, searching for cracks and fissures in which a tongue could not be placed, threatening to desecrate upon discovery if submission was not granted.
Intentions to satisfy the presumptuous beast were nonexistent, yet no such translation was apparent in Illythyrra’s weary form for her head was inclined downwards and the withered violets she possessed for eyes never rose to acknowledge Father Verrill’s crushing presence. The penetrating gaze he condemned upon her back was well-received without the meeting of each other’s faces; impatient hands clasped before her had shifted and burned with the pricking of S A V A G E claws beneath the thin safeguarding of billowy sleeves the moment his footfalls ceased and lavishly crowned head turned towards her. It was not a display of submission—cherished words of her people rang imperiously within her mind with every action taken, never to be forgotten—but one of defiance. As a figure of elevated authority, having one’s back turned while the other preened is enough to produce a necessary response…yet the lowly cleric still stands to challenge the Herald of Andraste by way of force with something so simple as a look that she need not see to feel.
Never adjusting her stance, although she should, Illythyrra gave way to a sigh of irritation and twisted her lips into a revolted grimace. Her priorities certainly were “in check” as they did not pertain to wasting away whilst playing childish games to appease nobles, yet what was to be done now? The laughter of a man bearing great influence travels with haste upon excitable tongues throughout such a land as Orlais, and no amount of humiliation brought upon by him could be afforded. The man wishes to play…and so be it.
Still remaining as she was—nails sinking ever deeper into her flesh—Illythyrra closed her eyes in resignation and directed her voice to the floor, exhausted tones ringing not of mockery or spite, but pure impatience.
“ You speak as though I am your reflection, Sire… May I ask why a lowly cleric finds it necessary to dress himself all in gold while Andraste’s herald stands naked before him? You counsel wisdom, but all I hear is hypocrisy, and such hypocrisy will become a reminder of your mortality if you cannot squeeze your head out of that crown quick enough… ”
Words waiting to be said were clenched tightly against his teeth; jaw rigidly in place as he allowed the other to speak to him in such a lowly fashion, only making it harder for him to separate animistic nature from common sense. Anger ruminated, but thought pulled it back; deep into the back of his mind to fuel more useful emotions and ideas. With more rage, his patient nature prolongs to juxtapose her restless nature. And how that R A G E boiled in the pit of his stomach.
Andraste herself could raise her hand towards him, claiming that the mere savage before him as her speaker, and he'd still see the savage they were before. The kind of savage who live within the trees and dying flora to rest in the dirt where they belong--uncivilized creatures that needed to be domesticated like a proper house cat. Who ever allows cat to bite the hands that feeds them hasn't trained them properly yet.
To properly train, he had to have patience control his irritation, and that's what he showed. Though his hands clasped together tightly, his face remained as placid as before. His gaze, looking away from the other, focused on the structures around for clarity of mind; to take in their words blinded by his own limitations. Again he paced across the room, footsteps growing louder with each heavy step. Filling the silence between them as his thoughts realigned themselves to match his words and the other's actions. To turn it around and to have it wrapped around his fingers once again.
" My dearest Inquisitor, there's a difference between talking to a reflection and a person with a fully functioning head on their shoulders. Do not forget that." Once again the tight lipped grin appeared, malice beginning to ease it's way into his words and his posture. A stiff sense of pride made him stand tall, and helped him to turn towards the Inquisitor with his gaze wandering slightly. Only for his sights to end at her bowing head.
" When I speak to a person, I do expect them to speak back. But I'd expect for them to speak towards me--staring d i r e c t l y at me--not to the floorboards as if they had a sentient thought. " The words of belittlement rang out quickly in a tone full of mockery, quickly losing the playful jive he had earlier. His words growing more grave as he walked towards the shrinking woman. The icy gaze she tried to avoid narrows in just for her, once again wandering from time to time as his words filled their ears.
" Are the floors the hypocrites you speak of, dear? What is it are they not squeezing out of that 'crown' on their head--do you see things I don't see? Or are you making it an effort so I can question your competent? " More and more bitter sentiments spoken through an unfeeling voice, growing closer until he stopped a mire foot away. Eyes once again gazing down on the petite frame before him. The glance at her bare body reminded him of what he had compared to her: Power.
And oh, how he indulged in it.
" Now, you can do better. I assure you. " Again with the mockery, hidden behind a gentle tone. Still with his eyes looking down to her, he brought his hand up to her chin. A gentle stroke of his finger upward forced her to look up at him. And to make sure she did not turn away, he held her jaw in his hand. Tight enough to her to remember who held down the reigns, but gentle, so she could realize he's not a horrid, forceful soul. Only a VILE ONE.
" Try speaking to me again;" He said gravely. Unmoving. Unchanging. " Speaking your mind can reveal a lot to another. "