In revealing his plans, Valere had lost Hayley’s trust near completely. She didn’t like what her brother did, but in a way he was almost safer on his throne than he was overturned. All she saw in Valere was an aggression and a need to destroy: curled fists, gritted teeth, a murderous glint in the eye. If she went to Jim early, she might end up doing so in a body bag, delivered especially by the usurper. Hayley was in deep danger now. What the fuck was her brother thinking?!
"I’m sorry he did that to you. He wants something, he gets it, he’s always been that way. And a bully." Hayley genuinely sympathised, and that showed. She was the emotional one, but also - usually - a good judge of character. Jim was better than her at that, but so he was at nearly everything that didn’t involve compassion or social interaction. "He’s never appreciated anyone. He’s damaged like that.
"But if you tell me where he is, I’ll go. I can try talking to him." Hayley added. Perhaps she was being optimistic. If Valere was planning an abduction he was unlikely to just let her run loose, "I’ve always been taught not to go anywhere with strangers, so I kinda have to reject a ride. But thank you for offering anyway."
He could feel her becoming distant; his momentarily lapse in temper had cost him. He was smooth for the majority of the time, but also very hot-headed. He could snap at a moments notice under the right circumstances - and that was what made him dangerous. He was not particularly strong, and was not as clever as the Moriarty's. Though definitely intelligent (you had to be to have any chance at holding a position of power in his profession), his true strength really lay in the fact that he was so volatile.
He shrugged. "You don't have to apologise. I'm not looking for sympathy, dear." She looked as though she was genuinely affected by his story, and Valere couldn't quite decide if he found that sweet or if it left a slightly strange taste in his mouth. The way she so casually admitted Jim's damage was intriguing, though. He had to wonder how exactly the siblings were so very different.
"You go there on your own?" He said with a sincere shake of the head. "Oh, no. There's no way that that's going to work out any way but badly for you." He informed her. After a pause to watch her expression, he added. "You don't have to look so wary, darling. When I said you're in no danger from me, I really did mean it. There's nothing to gain from, say, kidnapping you." The truth of it was that if he could turn Hayley against Jim, it would just be so much more satisfying when he eventually managed to topple him again. It would rub salt in the wound, so to speak. "I want to help you. Okay, so I'd be lying if I said I liked your brother at all. I don't. I hate him, actually. I know exactly what he's like, and that's why I don't think you should just go barging in there, whether you're his baby sister or not."













