Thought Contagion

Ludovic studied Absinth, his gaze following her every movement, his mind quietly dissecting the lesson she imparted. Every nuance she spoke of, every tell she described, held a weight that he knew could shift the balance in his favor when needed.

He saw the value in her examples, the subtle signs that spoke louder than any boast. The slight limp that hinted at a weakness, the flicker of doubt in an opponent’s eyes, even the smallest hesitation—these were insights he could wield, silent weapons that would let him anticipate threats before they materialized. Her words sharpened his awareness, tuning his instincts to catch the vulnerabilities he could exploit.

The concept of manipulating perception intrigued him. Letting others see what he wanted them to see—a carefully crafted facade, bait for the overconfident. He could see it so clearly: luring an enemy in, only to turn the tables. It was a strategy that required patience, calculation, and control—all things he knew he could cultivate.

As Absinth circled the group, the boy smirked, mismatched gaze a bit harder—more confident.

ludoviciana