and the serpent spoke | clue, event 4 {beryl}

He stares at Malcolm, unflinching.

His fingers are free from his hair, his expression firm and steady; but his voice — oh, that voice — is still honey. He hopes to catch the king in it. He wants to drown a kingdom.

"I've thought on this, and not lightly." It's a strange thing, to hear his words in that tone. ( That lustful, gluttonous song — those intelligent, sharp lyrics. ) This is a different Beryl, one meant only for the shadows.

"First, Amrin. I stand by my original choice. She's all business, no pleasure. By all means, hire her and you won't regret it; but she'd never last in your position. A person needs substance to run a company, to lead an estate. Who would follow her?"

"Second, Fiora. I can't even tell you why she's here. Her ability, her personality, they bring nothing to the table. Nothing that actually matters. She doesn't belong in our world, Mr. Nox. They'd eat her alive, and she wouldn't have the resources to fight back. Offering free palm readings won't keep the mobs from descending on your home."

"Third, Violet. I care about her, truly, but it's all the same. She won't make it here. And you know this, of course you do. You brought me into this competition because I was good, that was why I stood out, but you and I both know that true goodness isn't real. Not for men like us. She's the wrong kind of good. I don't want her to lose that."

And then he approaches without caution, hand on Malcolm's chest. He adjusts his tie, but the action is not flirtatious. There's a sense of longing in his eyes, a different kind of hunger. Like he's staring at a reflection that's not quite him; like he's staring at the man he's meant to become. "You have to choose someone like you. That's why I'm here."