She doesn't look up until she's done with the second shackle, fingers lingering on the cool metal, a slight brush against his skin.
"Do you want me to?" A stupid question, of course. He wouldn't ask otherwise. Then, "Your general sitting by your side may send the wrong message."
And it would, of course, send a message. They don't know Radmakker's stance on Grisha, but there's no denying the role Zoya occupies in Ravka's military. They may look like they're attempting a misguided show of force, a poor nation baring its claws at its creditor. But on the other hand, Zoya is a beautiful woman; and Radmakker wouldn't be the first powerful man to let his guard slip in her presence. Any small inroad is all the opportunity Nikolai needs to wheedle clemency out of Kerch.
Zoya is not charming, unless she wants to be. She is not much of a negotiator either, if Nikolai is honest. But she is (a comfort) shrewd and clever, and perhaps Radmakker should bear a reminder back to his fellows that Ravka is poor but not weak.
And beyond that, there is some sense in keeping Radmakker outnumbered. Who wouldn't be nudged off balance, just a little, by Zoya?
Her fingers feel warmer than they should in contrast to the shackle.
"You don't think it would be nice to remind him that we're not so helpless?" Nikolai returns, with an easy levity in spite of the topic, the debt, the maneuvering he's going to have to do. "So long as you don't scare him out of the room, I think it might be beneficial for our discussion."
She arches an eyebrow rather than say no promises aloud. Merchant Council though he may be, she doubts Radmakker has seen anything of real war or danger — or power — while spending his days cosseted in Ketterdam. Maybe he is due a little intimidation, a little taste of Ravka's might.
Besides, she's capable of restraining herself. She just chooses not to, much of the time.
"I'll be there," she says, "so long as I get as much of the good tea for my trouble as I want."
"I always keep the good tea aside for you," Nikolai promises, expression very earnest. He'd folded his hands over his belly out of habit, for lack of anything better to do, but the lull in conversation prompts him to unlace his fingers, reach up towards the looping iron of the headboard.
Why make Zoya prompt him a second time? They both know what must be done.
To fill the silence, he prompts: "Is it too late for the lullaby?"
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
"Do you want me to?" A stupid question, of course. He wouldn't ask otherwise. Then, "Your general sitting by your side may send the wrong message."
And it would, of course, send a message. They don't know Radmakker's stance on Grisha, but there's no denying the role Zoya occupies in Ravka's military. They may look like they're attempting a misguided show of force, a poor nation baring its claws at its creditor. But on the other hand, Zoya is a beautiful woman; and Radmakker wouldn't be the first powerful man to let his guard slip in her presence. Any small inroad is all the opportunity Nikolai needs to wheedle clemency out of Kerch.
no subject
And beyond that, there is some sense in keeping Radmakker outnumbered. Who wouldn't be nudged off balance, just a little, by Zoya?
Her fingers feel warmer than they should in contrast to the shackle.
"You don't think it would be nice to remind him that we're not so helpless?" Nikolai returns, with an easy levity in spite of the topic, the debt, the maneuvering he's going to have to do. "So long as you don't scare him out of the room, I think it might be beneficial for our discussion."
no subject
Besides, she's capable of restraining herself. She just chooses not to, much of the time.
"I'll be there," she says, "so long as I get as much of the good tea for my trouble as I want."
no subject
Why make Zoya prompt him a second time? They both know what must be done.
To fill the silence, he prompts: "Is it too late for the lullaby?"
no subject
"I don't know any."