Immediately Stare felt a great pang of pity for the elf, but like most things in the Hollow there was little she could do about it. In the original genesis of Vitruvion's plan to bring the kenku into his household Stare was going to take on the administration side of the Hollow. However, as time had progressed, and the Heysan escapade had occurred, that particular plan had been sundered to nothing. Instead, Stare had taken on the role of general observing manager of all of Vitruvion's more legitimate projects in the city, becoming his public face so that he could spend more time at leisure. Whilst he delved further into the world of sex, illicit drugs and smuggling, she made his house and businesses run smoothly. It was a very true statement that for the past six months, since Stare had taken up the responsibilities, that Vitruvion's legal wealth had almost doubled.
Thus he had never chased the idea of her presence in the Hollow. Instead a silent agreement existed between them that she was useful where she was. She preferred it and he seemed to now also.
The elf did not look at her anymore, but instead kept her eyes to the ground. Vitruvion was quiet for a moment and then leant back over to Stare and said in the smallest whisper.
"I can still not see you."
Knowing exactly what he meant Stare took in a breath. She blinked a few times, then reached into a pouch at her belt. Once her fingers had grasped around the cold, hard metal, she brought out the remains of the cuff - the object that had previously been bound to her wrist and gave Vitruvion access to see her surface thoughts and see and hear what she did. Removed by the demonic mage it had had iron-like immoveable lacing that had all but now disintegrated, probably by the touch of his chaotic fingers.
Carefully and attemptingly subtly, she held out the cuff to him. The god stared at it for one single but long second, and then plucked it from her. With a curl of his upper lip he showed his distaste and his fury, but pocketed the item without so much as another word.
Stare breathed in slow, knowing from experience his anger. Tightening her jaw she remained where she was, but straight backed now and a dark momento of his power here.
Time slipped by. The ten brothers continued to speak to one another, and Vitruvion only spoke when it was desperately needed. Nothing seemed too vexing in the council this time - the one who usually riled up Vitruvion, a bearded man called Hugin, was particularly quiet. He did not even have a female accompanying him.
When it was clear that Vitruvion's impatience was getting at him, the god stood, a flow of deep indigo blue falling around him. Immediately, the room fell silent, a clear sign of his power. He looked around the room, said quietly, "This council is dismissed," and then nudged the elf with his knee. Stare watched her get uncomfortably to her feet.
And she couldn't help thinking, That was once me.
