Chapter Text
“I’m shocked to hear you don’t consider writing casually.”
Victor withheld his response, being uncharacteristically quick to want to act defensive. Though if he did so, Helena may have been able to pick up on his fib.
“You usually engage so thoughtfully with my writing, in ways I wouldn’t have expected someone that only reads not writes would.”
Victor had noticed her time at the manor had drastically sharpened her ability to read people. Or maybe everyone’s volatility and the unfailing distrustful atmosphere within the crowd lowered her tolerance to give the benefit of the doubt. She was never naive, but definitely used to have more restraint to hold her tongue in judging others. Or maybe she’d always been this way too and her mask was now slipping later than most of the others at the manor. Helena began to talk a lot more like that Clerk, Keigan. Had they been spending time together?
But Victor too was cautious and passively attentive, as he’d always been. He knows every resident of this manor and has picked up on their subtle developments that could shift their behaviour drastically in certain situations. And so he was hesitant to lie to Helena about his hobbies, if only to prevent future incidents or rumours from spreading around the manor which was all too easy.
“I prefer to write to people directly. I’m not a story teller like Orpheus or Kurt— though I like their work.”
Unfortunately, he wasn’t too confident in the truth he was hiding to not be a big deal.
Helena seemed at first distracted with the drink she was pouring, though snorted at something specific he’d said, remaining otherwise silent for the task. She listened intently for the pitch of her cup to shift as it filled with the steaming and therefore indicatively hot beverage. In that short break, Victor knew she was just focusing, but couldn’t help that she’d picked up on the lie. The hum she gave was flat, not giving him any confidence in her tone that he managed to convince her.
“Your language lack’s Kurt’s… excitement when writing.”
Victor didn’t miss the hesitance in her voice, an indicator of scrutiny for the explorer.
“It certainly isn’t flowery either, it’s direct as you said, but not blunt. Orpheus isn’t that much different. I think given a topic your passionate about, your words could naturally stray to be engaging.”
Victor picked up on the unwarranted advice, still unsure whether it indicated that she knew he already secretly tapped into his inner novelist or whether it was just friendly encouragement to do so. She was a bit too on the nose on how he had discovered his knack and enjoyment for the hobby… He might have shared the truth if his ‘passionate topic’ wasn’t about—
“Just consider it. If you happen to try it, let me know so I can proof-read it.”
Also a bit too on the nose about wanting to insert herself into his happenings, something Victor absolutely couldn’t allow. Victor’s eyes widening alarmed over her non-covert enthusiasm. He sighs if only to match the tone of the lie he is trying to portray.
“I’m busy these days, I only have time to focus on Wick or salvage my little opportunity for sleep.”
Victor said hesitantly, trying to steer away the potential for any more of Helena’s snooping. Dismissing it outright though, he realised, could have been just as suspicious.
“If I do try, I’ll let you know immediately.”
He added and regretted the words, that was his fourth lie to her now. Finally it at least seemed to be enough to satisfy Helena for now. He withheld a relieved sigh when he recognised the pleased smile rounding her cheeks, enough to signal her satisfaction as she lidded her cup and walked out of the kitchen. Hopefully it was going to be his last lie.