Not for His Sake

“No, no darling one. What I meant was that Frey is the one who expects offerings, not I. I care little for that sort of thing, though I do appreciate the sentiment of course. She said with a beautification smile. “And was that source Bastien perhaps?” Safrin asked, her lips curling into a condescending sort of smile as she thought of the artist. With a silvery laugh, Safrin shook her head gently. “Offend? Why no sugar. If anything I was impressed by your tenacity. Whatever other mortals might say about your tact, I do not concern myself with. Your intentions seemed genuine, which is all that I care about.” Ill-begotten worship was it? There was a human expression - no press is bad press, or at least it would become an expression for them, one day - and for Safrin something not entirely far off might have been said to be true. Was she the most egotistical and possibly the most attention-seeking? Certainly. Was she vain? Absolutely. That Bastien had her name on the lips of men and woman again was something she was indeed thankful for... But a brothel? Gaudy stars painted on bodies if only so that more could be shown on their human flesh? It had nothing to do with her and everything to do with Bastien, and yet her name had been displayed once again...and Safrin had missed that. “I would never. Or at least, I have not for a long time.” She corrected with a mused twitch of her lips. “I have lived for eons and have seen many men and women like Bastien, who use my name to glorify and make beautiful their own ugliness. I am not so blind that I did not see into the heart of him, nor do I think you mean to imply that I am.” Safrin added, holding up a hand as if to assuage Phoebe of the apology that she could feel brewing. “But in all that time, there are far less like you. You who know very little of religion, who knew absolutely nothing of me. Who possibly ruined the quest given to you by Frey by speaking your mind rather than batting those pretty eyes of you as Bastien would surely have appreciated.” Nibbling on her lip, Safrin crossed her arms casually with an appreciative smile. Safrin the devil is not as black as he is painted