bethen avilla ; the circle mage (bethe) wrote in thedas,
Her attempt at persuasion had worked perfectly, but she couldn't feel particularly proud of it. Bethen didn't like lying to people, even though she hadn't actually said anything to him that was untrue. But omission counted just as much as a form of dishonesty, at least by her standards. And now it wasn't just about being vindictive toward Constans and attempting to thwart his every move; Aurin was actually concerned about her, which was a touching sentiment, and she felt awful for making him worry and trying to shut him out, when all he wanted to do was help.
Still, much as she wanted to end the charade, the notion that he was better off remaining out of the loop was a lot stronger than the desire to spill her guts and tell him everything she knew at that moment. Which really wasn't much, if everything Constans had said to her was a lie. Beth wasn't going to jump to conclusions, though. She needed to see how this played out.
Beth nodded, "I will."
She wouldn't. Well, Beth wouldn't do the part about telling him, anyway. But she did have all intention to take care of herself and the situation, quietly and appropriately. If there was a situation, anyway. She was no master of stealth or subtlety, but it went without saying that possessed a lot more tact when it came to handling Constans on her own than if she had gotten Aurin involved. Even if that would take half the burden off her shoulders, alleviating her own guilt wasn't worth putting both men into unnecessary peril or a state of paranoia. "Right, books. I'll only be a minute," she said, breaking eye contact and slipping into the door.
Once inside, she quietly wound her way past the myriad of other soundly slumbering students and made straight for Constans' bed. She crouched at the chest at the foot of the bunks -- conveniently unlocked -- and began to rummage around for a fresh set of apprentice garb, which she stuffed into her own robes, while also grabbing an armful of random large books without even looking at the titles. Those she would carry in front of her padded belly, and hopefully no one would think she'd instantly gained a few pounds overnight. She continued clutching them to her body when she left, pausing momentarily to address Aurin again at the door, "Got what I needed. I'll see you around later. Thank you." There was more gratitude in her voice than fit the obvious context. She felt completely undeserving of his friendship. However, she didn't leave him time to respond, instead fleeing immediately down the hall and back up toward the Mage's Quarters.