Graceful Descent

[Victor Steiner]

He smiled Only one part fool. You, unfortunately, cannot predict the future and few probably anticipated things going the way that they have. Betrayal was not an unfamiliar feeling, nor was it an unused tool that he never employed, if the conditions required it and he saw no other option, he would, by necessity, betray someone for the greater good. Or at very least, the greatest possible good as he saw it. That didn't mean he was happy about it, but sometimes, it was required. I'm not going to promise you anything my dear. I can't and even if I could, the future is not mine to see either. Thing change, and try as I might foresight is not a natural gift I possess. Today I am going to help you, because I believe you...oddly. I know you don't trust me. I know you think of me as the cold and calculating intelligence officer. In some ways I take that as a compliment. He flashed a darker smile at her as he spoke I wouldn't be any good if you could see right through me after all. But I should think that I am at very least a man of my word. I don't give it very often, when I do I try to abide by it.

Subtly was not his strong suit, he had to learn it from Dagon and even then she could read him like a book. But you need to know I do not agree with everything the Government does. Few Intelligence officers do I suspect, we do not possess the power we once did. I don't think we want to have it again either. Nevertheless, Auxesia is our enemy, at least on paper. But as today has shown, if there is something truly dangerous, something you my possibly need help with. I can offer my assistance. Me, personally, not the Service. Just think on that as you brave the darkness of the void.

He reached into his jacket pocket and produced the rosary beads he had given her before and placed them on the table in front of her. Take it. I should hope that it will be a small light in the dark when you need it. And if it is not, then maybe it will serve as a reminder of me and a slightly happier memory. Frankly he wasn't going to take no for an answer, it was a gift. One he gave freely.