#veoc: (oh no does he know where to poke...i'll need to walk him thru it 🤨)

[starsvein]

For once, Veoc's fast on the uptake. He thinks of all the ingredients: hostage, marriage, bed, knife, and recognizes the classic ploy of a seduction kill.

...actually, he'd been the target of such attempts in the past, but Eiden didn't need to know about those.

"I see. So you're supposed to take revenge for your people on me?" Veoc reasons after a pause. "That's very logical, all things considered."

"But all they gave you was this knife?"

Ah, was the prince of Planet Nippon supposed to have powerful natural charms to distract him during their passionate entanglement? While Eiden gets fretful, Veoc settles for thinking it through, reasoning out various scenarios and scenes.

"I don't think it's a bad solution, if the script's already given you this method," he remarks a moment later. "Perhaps attacking me can end this story—or at least this scene. We might end up in a different setting next time, with more flexibility for escape."

He sets the blade in Eiden's lap.

"I'm trained in combat. I can direct you to the easiest place to stab while avoiding my vitals—or should we be aiming for those on purpose...?"

" Ah no, this... it's fine... "

Eiden rises his hand over his temple. It's but a dull ache now. Now more important to think about if just sleeping in the room is enough. He decides to stop thinking about the sharp object he was forced upon.

Only for it to Veoc to bring it up again.

" They said... that I should... "

Eiden's mouth opens, looking for words as he speaks, avoiding the obvious.

" You -- I mean, your character, he's not well liked. That I should warm you up and then --- But that doesn't mean we should just --- "

He shakes his head. It won't do!! They have to think something else. He looks up to Veoc determined to work for it, grasping him by arm.

" You too! We need to think other ways!!! "