𝑬𝑻𝑬𝑹𝑵𝑨𝑳 𝑻𝑯𝑼𝑵𝑫𝑬𝑹 .

❛ I’d rather serve as a knight and ride to battle and glory. ❜

❛ We have royal wombs, you and I. The childbed is our battlefield. ❜

❛ I want to fly with you on dragonback, see the great wonders across the Narrow Sea, and eat only cake. ❜

❛ We must either act now or leave it with the gods. ❜

❛ The gods have yet to make a man who lacks the patience for absolute power. ❜

❛ I have only ever defended you! Yet everything I’ve given you, you’ve thrown back in my face. ❜

❛ To elude a storm, you can either sail into it, or around it. But you must never await its coming. ❜

❛ We should be free to speak our minds to one another. ❜

❛ I imagine even dragons get lonely. ❜

❛ I understand the order of things. I’m not sure you do. ❜

❛ If you mean to elicit some anger from me, you should know that you’re failing. ❜

❛ Men would sooner put the realm to the torch than see a woman ascend the Iron Throne. ❜

❛ I’m right here, the object of your ire. ❜

❛ Do it. And be done with all this bother. ❜

❛ Proud men don’t like having to look up. ❜

❛ Our worth is not given. It must be made. ❜

❛ None of it needs be this way in truth. ❜

❛ The boars squeal like children when they’re being slaughtered. I find it discomforting. ❜

❛ Even I do not exist above tradition and duty! ❜

❛ How lucky you are to have a say in your own life. ❜

❛ All that I have, I owe to you. ❜

❛ Well, if you truly believe that, my dear… then you possess a generous spirit. ❜

❛ I was trying to help you. Will you not be helped? Why must every effort on your behalf be resisted - as if to the death? ❜

❛ You wear a crown. Do you also call yourself “King”? ❜

❛ How romantic it must be to get imprisoned in a castle and made to squeeze out heirs. ❜

❛ Though I do suppose you seem changed by your adventures. More mature, perhaps. ❜

❛ Marriage is only a political arrangement. Once you are wed, you can do as you like. ❜

❛ You can not live your life in fear, or you will forsake the best parts of it. ❜

❛ I have no desire to live in fear. Only solitude. ❜

❛ This is a vile accusation. ❜

❛ I have spent a lifetime defending you. But your heart is even blacker than I thought. ❜

❛ You said I could have anything. I want [name]. I’ll take her as she is. ❜

❛ When one is never invited to speak, one learns instead to observe. ❜

❛ It’s long past time our houses were united in blood. ❜

❛ Let us leave it all behind and see the world together… where we’ll be nameless, and free… free to go where we like, to love as we like. ❜

❛ What will they say of me when the histories are written? ❜

❛ I deserve some say in the affairs of my own family. ❜

❛ Your obsession with those beasts goes beyond understanding. ❜

❛ The consequences of an allegation like the one you toy at would be dire. ❜

❛ Have I lost my sanity? Do my senses lead me astray? Or is everyone else asleep, dreaming the same woolly dream? ❜

❛ You have your honor and I have mine. ❜

❛ Dark rumors are hunting us. They nip at our heels. ❜

❛ The wise sailor flees the storm as it gathers. ❜

❛ How sweetly the fox speaks when it’s been cornered by the hounds. ❜

❛ You may do as you wish, when I am cold in my grave. ❜

❛ You may know what is the right thing to be done, but love stays the hand. ❜

❛ No matter how fat the leech grows, it always wants for another meal. ❜

❛ Mayhaps the gods have scorned us for our insatiable pride. ❜

❛ What is this brief mortal life if not the pursuit of legacy? ❜

❛ Each of us is capable of depravity. And more than you would believe. ❜

❛ I will have the truth of what happened. ❜

❛ This interminable infighting must cease! All of you! We are family! ❜

❛ There is a debt to be paid. ❜

❛ What have I done but what was expected of me? ❜

❛ Exhausting, wasn’t it? Hiding beneath the cloak of your own righteousness. But now they see you as you are. ❜

❛ We play an ugly game. And now, for the first time, I see that you have the determination to win it. ❜

❛ You and I are made of fire. We have always been meant to burn together. ❜

❛ They will fear what else we might be capable of. ❜

❛ And while I should like your support, I do not need it. ❜

❛ I would say it’s nice to be home, but I scarcely recognize it. ❜

❛ I’ve done everything you’ve asked me to, and I try so hard, but it will never be enough for you. ❜

❛ Hold your nerve. What we do, we do for the good of the realm. ❜

❛ I must confess a certain uneasiness now this is at hand. ❜

❛ A generous offer. Or a desperate one. ❜

❛ But tonight I wish you to see me as I am. ❜

❛ Let us no longer hold ill feelings in our hearts. ❜

❛ It is you. You are the one. You must do this. ❜

❛ His last words to me and I was the only one to hear it. And now he’s dead. ❜

❛ I recognize no authority but the King’s. And until there is one… I have no place here. ❜

❛ It is our fate, I think, to crave always what is given to another. If one possesses a thing, the other will take it away. ❜

❛ I will do you the considerable courtesy of assuming there is a good reason for the outrage of my treatment here this morning. ❜

❛ You are wiser than I believed you to be. ❜

❛ You desire not to be free, but to make a window in the wall of your prison. ❜

❛ There is no power but what the people allow you to take. ❜

❛ Our hearts were never one. I see that now. ❜

❛ No king has ever lived that hasn’t had to forfeit the lives of a few to protect the many. ❜

❛ Reluctance to murder is not a weakness! ❜

❛ We don’t choose our destiny. It chooses us. ❜

❛ Whatever claim remains to me, you are now its heir. ❜

❛ Naught is to be done but by my command. ❜

❛ Come with me. I’ll show you the true meaning of loyalty. ❜

❛ If you choose treachery, if you swear fealty now only to later turn your cloaks… know that you will die screaming. ❜

❛ Let’s end this mummer’s farce. ❜

❛ I do not wish to rule over a kingdom of ash and bone. ❜

❛ Dreams didn’t make us kings. Dragons did. ❜

❛ You abandoned me… when I most needed you. ❜

❛ Hope is the fool’s ally. ❜

what did they mean when they said ‘i can’t trust you’?

for months? you’ve been putting me through this for months?

how can you come back and even look me in the eye after all you’ve done

you didn’t mean that, right? please tell me you didn’t mean that

you swore you wouldn’t leave, you promised

after everything we’ve been through? seriously?

did i ever even know you?

please don’t do this, you’re all i’ve left

it wasn’t like that, it was us against you from the beginning

i was never on your side to begin with, don’t you get that?

but i’m doing this for you, for us, doesn’t that count for anything?

i know what you did, don’t even try

wait, how do you know about that

was it you? did you tell them? did you tell them the one thing i begged you not to?

i trusted you with my life, i trusted you with everything i had!

fuck, i regret ever having even met you

so, it was all a lie? nothing of what we went through mattered to you?

you could have stabbed me at least a thousand times before this, why now?

why didn’t you just kill me when you had the chance, huh?

did you have fun? did you enjoy yourself, pretending to be my friend?

i don’t want to hear it, i don’t care why you did it

we took you in, we cared for you, and this is what you were after the entire time?

i should have listened when they told me to stay away from you

the people i cared about… gone, all because of you and some stupid plan

you don’t get it, this is the only way, okay?

maybe if you learnt how to prioritise better, you would actually understand why i had to do this

i never meant to hurt you, it may have been a lie at first, but please, you have to believe me

tell me i imagined you leaving, tell me none of this happened and i’ll believe you

i’d rather die than be stuck with a traitor any moment longer

we all depended on you, how could you do this to us?

is it my fault you trust so foolishly and willingly?

i’m sorry, i know it’s meaningless now, but please, know i’m sorry

you’ll understand one day, you’ll understand i never actually meant to hurt you

you don’t even look dejected, do you enjoy playing with other people’s lives?

you took everything from me, you fucking bastard

i wish i’d have killed you when they told me to

you’re meant for so much more, why cry when you could join me?

i had to make you trust me, you would have never come this far, otherwise

there are far bigger things at stake here than your broken heart

why do you even care so much? you were using me just the same!

so i was right about you after all, i’m glad i never fully trusted you

you know what? you’re nothing more than a lesson to me now, so fuck off

he doesn't know how to feel. had she turned up in the past, he would have been equally lost but his RAGE would have carried him through. here, now... the anger is still very much there, along with the despair that, even now, he tries to stifle — it's far easier to only be angry at her, to not let the feeling be MUDDIED by all the other, more conflicting emotions.

how is he meant to respond to this? he hasn't seen her in five hundred some years, and now all of a sudden she's here. in sumeru, of all places. has she even LEFT inazuma between his creation and now?

cold features unflinching as words repeat . it sounds just as ridiculous coming from his mouth as it did hers . ❝ yes , official business . ❞ the electro archon stands by her words , the awkwardness &. tiptoeing around small talk clearly not a strong suit . perhaps she should've sent someone else instead .

❛  you’re  leaving ?  ❜

❛  can  i  come  in ?  ❜

❛  can  you  shut  up ? ❜

❛  are  you  [ name ] ?  ❜

❛  who  am  i  to  you ?  ❜

❛  why  should  i  care ?  ❜

❛  can  i  come  inside ?  ❜

❛  did  i  do  something ?  ❜

❛  you  don’t  trust  me ?  ❜

❛  can  we  make  a  deal ?  ❜

❛  are  you  lying  to  me ?  ❜

❛  are  you  free  tonight ?  ❜

❛  are  we  going  to  die ?  ❜

❛  can  i  come  with  you ?  ❜

❛  can  we  call  it  even ?  ❜

❛  you  stay  here ,  okay ?  ❜

❛  you  think  i’m  stupid ?  ❜

❛  can  you  stitch  me  up ?  ❜

❛  are  you  doing  alright ?  ❜

❛  is  that  …  my  shirt ?  ❜

❛  who  takes  care  of  you ?  ❜

❛  have  you  seen  yourself ?  ❜

❛  what  took  you  so  long ?  ❜

❛  can’t  you  see  i’m  busy ?  ❜

❛  who  do  you  think  i  am ?  ❜

❛  why  are  you  helping  me ?  ❜

❛  are  you  happy  with  him ?  ❜

❛  are  we  having  a  moment ?  ❜

❛  are  you  listening  to  me ?  ❜

❛  how  are  you  so  arrogant ?  ❜

❛  how  did  you  afford  this ?  ❜

❛  what  are  you  doing  here ?  ❜

❛  is  this  all  in  my  head ?  ❜

❛  why  won’t  you  look  at  me ? ❜

❛  are  you  here  to  kill  me ?  ❜

❛  do  you  want  some  company ?  ❜

❛  are  you  from  around  here ?  ❜

❛  do  you  need  to  lie  down ?  ❜

❛  are  we  on  the  same  page ?  ❜

❛  why  didn’t  you  defend  me ?  ❜

❛  are  you  sure  you’re  ready ?  ❜

❛  where  is  this  coming  from ?  ❜

❛  where  were  you  last  night ?  ❜

❛  you  wanted  to  talk  to  me ?  ❜

❛  will  you  PLEASE  be  quiet ?!  ❜

❛  what  was  i  supposed  to  do ?  ❜

❛  why  do  you  look  so  guilty ?  ❜

❛  [ name ]  …  truth  or  dare ?  ❜

❛  why  did  you  bring  me  here ?  ❜

❛  are  you  looking  for  someone ?  ❜

❛  since  when  does  that  matter ?  ❜

❛  why  do  you  put  up  with  me ?  ❜

❛  THIS  is  your  breaking  point ?  ❜

❛  what  can  i  say  to  fix  this ?  ❜

❛  do  you  think  i  deserve  this ?  ❜

❛  hey ,  hey ,  are  you  with  me ?  ❜

❛  why  are  you  leaving  so  soon ?  ❜

❛  what  do  you  get  out  of  this ?  ❜

❛  [ name ] ,  what  have  you  done ?  ❜

❛  do  you  have  a  minute  to  talk ?  ❜

❛  did  you  ever  actually  love  me ?  ❜

❛  do  you  need  somewhere  to  stay ?  ❜

❛  why  don’t  you  ever  listen  to  me ?

❛  do  you  hear  yourself  right  now ?  ❜

❛  you  knew  &  you  didn’t  tell  me ?  ❜

❛  do  you  want  something  to  drink ?  ❜

❛  when  did  you  know  you  loved  me ?  ❜

❛  when  was  the  last  time  you  ate ?  ❜

❛  what’s  your  favorite  scary  movie ?  ❜

❛  do  you  want  to  get  out  of  here ?  ❜

❛  why  is  this  so  important  to  you ?  ❜

❛  can  i  at  least  buy  you  a  drink ?  ❜

❛  how  can  you  think  this  is  funny ?  ❜

❛  are  you  sure  you’re  up  for  this ?  ❜

❛  are  you  trying  to  start  something ?  ❜

❛  what  are  we  supposed  to  do  now ?  ❜

❛  can  we  at  least  try  to  be  civil ?  ❜

❛  why  won’t  you  just  leave  me  alone ?  ❜

❛  are  you  thinking  what  i’m  thinking ?  ❜

❛  why  are  you  so  concerned  about  me ?  ❜

❛  why  can’t  you  just  stay  out  of  it ?  ❜

❛  you’re  not  bailing  on  me ,  are  you ?  ❜

❛  how  long  have  you  been  lying  to  me ?  ❜

❛  can  you  keep  your  eyes  open  for  me ?  ❜

❛  how  long  have  things  been  like  this ?  ❜

❛  why  is  this  suddenly  such  a  problem ?  ❜

❛  what ,  am  i  supposed  to  be  impressed ?  ❜

❛  do  you  ever  wish  you  could  run  away ?  ❜

❛  you’re  going  to  believe  them  over  me ?  ❜

❛  why  are  you  looking  at  me  like  that ?  ❜

❛  why  can’t  you  just  tell  me  the  truth ?  ❜

❛  why  can’t  you  ever  take  responsibility ?  ❜

❛  what  can  i  do  to  make  it  up  to  you ?  ❜

❛  can  we  put  this  whole  thing  behind  us ?  ❜

❛  i’m  coming  to  get  you ,  where  are  you ?  ❜

❛  can  you  stay ?  just  for  a  little  while ? ❜

❛  why  won’t  you  let  me  be  here  for  you ?  ❜

❛  when  are  you  going  to  forgive  yourself ?  ❜

❛  is  that  what  your  nightmares  are  about ?  ❜

❛  what  kind  of  person  does  this  make  me ?  ❜

❛  where  are  we  supposed  to  go  from  here ?  ❜

❛  are  you  TRYING  to  get  yourself  killed  ?!  ❜

❛  why  can’t  we  just  talk  like  we  used  to ?  ❜

❛  why  do  these  things  always  happen  to  me ?  ❜

❛  how  long  has  it  been  since  you’ve  slept ?  ❜

❛  can’t  we  just  enjoy  the  moment  for  once ?  ❜

❛  why  can’t  you  ever  stand  up  for  yourself ?  ❜

❛  why  haven’t  you  been  answering  your  phone ?  ❜

❛  what  was  i  supposed  to  do ,  let  you  die ?  ❜

❛  can  you  listen  &  do  what  i  say  for  once ?  ❜

❛  what  do  you  mean ,  you’re  not  coming  back ?  ❜

❛  why  don’t  you  stay  the  night ?  just  once .    ❜

❛  can  you  see  how  many  fingers  i’m  holding  up ?  ❜

❛  you’d  tell  me  if  something  was  wrong ,  right ?  ❜

❛  where  do  you  go  when  you  space  out  like  that ?  ❜

❛  you  were  going  to  leave  without  saying  goodbye ?  ❜

❛  you’ll  stand  by  my  side  no  matter  what ,  right ?  ❜

❛  what  kind  of  mess  have  you  gotten  yourself  into ?  ❜

❛  i  need  you  to  sit  up ,  can  you  do  that  for  me ?  ❜

❛  if  you  have  nothing  to  hide ,  what’s  the  problem ?  ❜

❛  can  we  all  just  act  like  we’re  winning  for  once ?  ❜

❛  can  we  talk  about  this  at  a  time  that  isn’t  now ?  ❜

❛  you  really  don’t  care  about  any  of  this ,  do  you ?  ❜

❛  can  you  just  tell  me  everything’s  going  to  be  okay ?  ❜

“ aw, that’s cute. did you think that i really loved you? “

“ i didn’t want to do this. but you betrayed my trust. “

“ this hurts me more than it will ever hurt you. “

“ you reap what you sow. “

“ what did i do? what’s so wrong with me that you can’t just love me? “

“ if nothing else, let’s make the most of being alive and together. “

“ i think i fall in love every day. “

“ i’ll save any life so long as it isn’t not my own. “

“ they didn’t bury you deep enough. “

“ my god, what’s become of you? “

“ enough of your games already. “

“ be careful what you wish for, ____. “

“ i know exactly what’s best for you. “

“ maybe if you weren’t so damn stubborn, we could get something done around here. “

“ you promised me. you promised. “

“ let’s play a game. it’ll be fun. “

“ if this is you when you’re calm, then i’m terrified of what you’re like when you’re actually upset. “

“ i didn’t mean to hurt anyone. i just wanted to help. “

“ i know i’m guilty. i am. i’m guilty. “

“ i don’t know what you want from me. i can’t fix you. “

“ it hurts, doesn’t it? i can make it hurt more. “

“ try not to get yourself killed or i’ll bring you back just to kill you again myself. “

“ you were the only person who understood me. you were my only friend. “

“ i know i shouldn’t care about what you do or who you do it with, but… i’m just—so lonely. “

“ you don’t know what you’re doing. you could kill someone. “

“ just let me help you. you don’t have to do this alone. “

“ aw, you’re no fun. no fun at all. “

“ you’re making me look like an idiot, i hope you know that. “

“ since when did you come back from the dead? “

“ i can rip you apart just as well as i can put you back together. “

“ there’s always something worth fighting for. “

“ pull yourself together, please. i can only afford one of us being a mess. “

“ stay with me. you’ll be fine. “

“ you clearly don’t belong here. “

“ you’re better off dead than alive, ____. “

“ do what you’ve been told. “

“ i can’t just sit around and let people get hurt. it’s my responsibility. “

“ you’re so busy taking care of everyone else that you can’t even take care of yourself! “

“ can i pay you to leave me alone? “

“ you’re running out of excuses and i’m running out of patience. “

“ is it really worth it? is all the blood and the death worth it? “

“ ____. you’re bleeding again. “

“ don’t act like you love me. “

“ i can’t feel anything. “

“ you’re going to tear yourself apart. “

“ i just want you to be safe. is that so much to ask for? “

“ i don’t think there is a right choice, just a choice you have to make. “

“ i could really hurt you, you know. “

“ am i even a person to you? “

“ you don’t even care. they’re just something for you to use and discard. “

“ don’t treat me like a child. “