( When... has he ever thought of blackmail? The mere possibility stings, and he pulls away, offering Five a worn, broken glance and a shake of his head. No, never that. Instead: )
Only inconvenient disclosure. Subterfuge.
( ...and is that better? In truth, the ethics of their machinations have long eluded him, in such violation of the principles that he cannot even begin to pretend the ancestors would not be roused to awe, to startling, to anger.
He pulls away. ) If the vote is annulled, delay is won.
( Without requiring an actual, sophisticated manipulation. )
no subject
( When... has he ever thought of blackmail? The mere possibility stings, and he pulls away, offering Five a worn, broken glance and a shake of his head. No, never that. Instead: )
Only inconvenient disclosure. Subterfuge.
( ...and is that better? In truth, the ethics of their machinations have long eluded him, in such violation of the principles that he cannot even begin to pretend the ancestors would not be roused to awe, to startling, to anger.
He pulls away. ) If the vote is annulled, delay is won.
( Without requiring an actual, sophisticated manipulation. )