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⠀⠀⠀⠀The Roman held Calian's gaze, his smile lingering though warmth had long since 𝒂𝒃𝒂𝒏𝒅𝒐𝒏𝒆𝒅 it. A low and unconvincing laugh escaped him, rich with mock amusement.
❝Whispers become reality only when fools are desperate enough to believe them. speak +
“Once you’ve grown accustomed to darkness, you know how to move in shadow. Perhaps you’ll become the one holding a knife. Have you ever thought about that?”
Unlike Batiatus, he was at ease; his eyes were shining, as if he were harbouring many secrets. As if he were a part+
+ sharp as a blade.
❝A / 𝙙𝙖𝙣𝙜𝙚𝙧𝙤𝙪𝙨 / ambition. Men who linger too long in the shadows often forget there are others standing behind them. So cherish your secrets, by all means, but should any find their way to my ear with ill intent attached, you may discover that +
+ secrets, my friend. Men rise through them, yes, but far more often, they find themselves buried beneath their weight and those who delight too greatly in 𝒔𝒉𝒂𝒅𝒐𝒘𝒔 often fail to notice the kn!fe waiting within them.❞
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⠀⠀⠀⠀Batiatus regarded the man in silence for a moment, his expression caught between 𝒂𝒎𝒖𝒔𝒆𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕 and irritation. Then a b!aded laugh escaped his tongue, his eyes glistened with hidden danger.
❝Secrets? You speak of them as though you alone have supped at +
A faint smile touched his lips; he ran his fingers over his own lips.
“Ah... Shadows. They have always been my close friends. Do you know why, dear Roman?”
He whispered softly. “The most powerful secrets emerge from the shadows. They can destroy a person or raise them+
+ their table.❞
He stepped closer, 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒇𝒊𝒅𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒆 draped about him like a finely woven cloak, patterns of gold glisten under the flockering candle light that refuses to sit on the madman's features. The smile upon his face never reached his eyes.
❝Rome is built upon +
+ cup before he spoke, each word sharpened by wounded pride and practised menace.
❝Ah, how eagerly lesser men grasp at shadows, 𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 them for truth.❞
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⠀⠀⠀⠀Batiatus offered only the 𝒇𝒂𝒊𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒔𝒕 curl of a smile, the kind born not of amusement but contempt. His eyes 𝗻𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗱 upon Calian, measuring the man as one might a slave who had mistaken insolence for courage. Fingers drummed lightly against his +
I do apologise that I have not been writing as of late, I am finishing the last semester, I just uploaded a PowerPoint presentation and I need to upload another presentation and then an exam is at the 13th, so I have been losing muse for writing in general. I will return after!