[ ...oh now that's a lot to unpack. Nina doesn't feel that Alina's been dishonest from her - far from it - but this rings to her like the most true thing Alina's said to her besides I'm the sun summoner and that bit about the letter not coming from her friend.
She very much wants to ask why do you feel trapped?, but she has a feeling the other girl will just say that it's because she's stuck here, and Nina doesn't want to invite that kind of awkward half-truths between them. Trust, true trust, is as precious as breath and it isn't earned through a few conversations and shared biscuits. It's built, slowly, brick by brick, tested and proved when someone catches you when they could let go.
She flips her biscuit lightly between her fingers. ]
That depends on the person and the purpose. There are some ways I'd go about winning people over that I'd never entertain here, because it would work for the short term but would only be harmful long term. I can't help but look at being here as an opportunity - the people here have no prejudices against Grisha. They don't care about our war, they just want to live to the next day. That makes me want to be as genuine with them as I can be just to see what happens. It's not this place, but it's the freedom in this place we've been fighting for. [ And you're just going to walk away from that, Nina? For Matthias... yes, she will. Not that their showing up here left her much choice. ] That doesn't mean I haven't been carefully cultivating what I show, and when, and to who - but everything I'm showing them is real. It's rather freeing, actually. And somewhat terrifying.
[ She turns her gaze from the horizon to meet Alina's. Her gaze is even and observant, but not sharp or cutting. She's making the choice to move beyond perspective to equip Alina with a tool - she hopes it helps. ] So if you're feeling trapped, use that. People want to help and want to feel like their help is well-received. There's no faster way to get someone to trust you than to ask them for something small and have them give it to you. It makes them feel like you owe them, and that makes them comfortable and inclined to protect their investment.
no subject
She very much wants to ask why do you feel trapped?, but she has a feeling the other girl will just say that it's because she's stuck here, and Nina doesn't want to invite that kind of awkward half-truths between them. Trust, true trust, is as precious as breath and it isn't earned through a few conversations and shared biscuits. It's built, slowly, brick by brick, tested and proved when someone catches you when they could let go.
She flips her biscuit lightly between her fingers. ]
That depends on the person and the purpose. There are some ways I'd go about winning people over that I'd never entertain here, because it would work for the short term but would only be harmful long term. I can't help but look at being here as an opportunity - the people here have no prejudices against Grisha. They don't care about our war, they just want to live to the next day. That makes me want to be as genuine with them as I can be just to see what happens. It's not this place, but it's the freedom in this place we've been fighting for. [ And you're just going to walk away from that, Nina? For Matthias... yes, she will. Not that their showing up here left her much choice. ] That doesn't mean I haven't been carefully cultivating what I show, and when, and to who - but everything I'm showing them is real. It's rather freeing, actually. And somewhat terrifying.
[ She turns her gaze from the horizon to meet Alina's. Her gaze is even and observant, but not sharp or cutting. She's making the choice to move beyond perspective to equip Alina with a tool - she hopes it helps. ] So if you're feeling trapped, use that. People want to help and want to feel like their help is well-received. There's no faster way to get someone to trust you than to ask them for something small and have them give it to you. It makes them feel like you owe them, and that makes them comfortable and inclined to protect their investment.