[There's a long pause on his end, and when he speaks his own tone is precisely neutral.]
If you do say no, if you do openly take a stand, then that will be something. I don't know if you've actual faith in the system that has happily abused so many, or if you're scared, or what holds you back, but I do not know where you will actually draw a line and it's...
[What is the right word? Or the most accurate one, really. Disconcerting doesn't say enough. His voice goes more quiet as he continues.]
...frightening. Things are far simpler when the people who could cause disaster for their own are assholes like Vivienne, uncaring about anyone save themselves. But you're not like that. You're not uncaring or an asshole. But I fear you will do this, and I fear that more mage phylacteries are on their way as well for just this one troublemaker, and then just one more, and that the leash has not been let go so much as it has been let slack enough for us to not see it's being woven into a net.
no subject
If you do say no, if you do openly take a stand, then that will be something. I don't know if you've actual faith in the system that has happily abused so many, or if you're scared, or what holds you back, but I do not know where you will actually draw a line and it's...
[What is the right word? Or the most accurate one, really. Disconcerting doesn't say enough. His voice goes more quiet as he continues.]
...frightening. Things are far simpler when the people who could cause disaster for their own are assholes like Vivienne, uncaring about anyone save themselves. But you're not like that. You're not uncaring or an asshole. But I fear you will do this, and I fear that more mage phylacteries are on their way as well for just this one troublemaker, and then just one more, and that the leash has not been let go so much as it has been let slack enough for us to not see it's being woven into a net.
I would be glad to be wrong here.