Oh god, I was destroyed several times reading through these chapters. The way his VA explored Sylus's emotional range and enunciated certain words was so, so excellent, and did such a great job fleshing out his character. This was everything I wanted and more from a main story update.
Full spoilers for his main story chapters below the cut
"I take my eyes off you for one second and you just rush in. The Association definitely trained you well, kitten."
Holy crap, the curt and annoyed tone he said kitten with – spitting it out almost like a curse word – I have never heard him use the pet name that way. His irritation is well founded here, and this was such a good way to show it.
"Our deal is complete. Now surrender your soul. You underestimated how much she's grown. Look at you, thinking she's still the little girl whose life you held carelessly in your hands. Like every gambler who overestimates themselves, you are not as clever as you think you are. Get a nice long look. It'll be your last. And do your best to remember the person who brought about your downfall."
His calm, deadly, hateful tone here made my stomach do a whole gymnastics routine. I'm so weak for these glimpses of the ruthless killer in him – it is just as much of his personality as the loving, soft, and sweet parts we get to experience.
In particular, the way his VA delivered "Look at you", in that disdainful tone will stick with me for a while. The homicide in his voice when he said "Get a nice long look. It'll be your last." is fucking phenomenal too.
Lore wise, this is an explicit confirmation that he is still in full force as a Fiend, including striking deals with people in exchange for their souls (?!). That is a huge and consequential bit of information, and there are so many fascinating threads to follow as a result: Was he consuming souls the entire time up until we meet him? (or even including the events during and after Long Awaited Revelry?) — or was this more of a one-off deal with Dimitri?
"Die with a smile for us, all right?"
The power couple energy being served here absolutely murdered me. It's giving Bonnie & Clyde and I am livinggg for it.
"Sorry, but your soul doesn't have the privilege of leaving whenever it wants. I will keep you bound to me for all of eternity. Our connection transcends this place and this world."
Oh my god, the gentle but rock-solid possessiveness in that second line - I will keep you bound to me for all of eternity - has changed my brain chemistry forever. The absolute conviction in his voice - not forceful, and not pushy - like he's stating a simple fact of the universe, or saying that the sky is blue. He is yours, and you are his. No questions about it.
