[ she rubs her thumb over the rise of his cheek, her gaze soft, just holding him there, as though she's worried he may fall. she knows he wanted to tell her from the interrogation, but just how badly, she wasn't aware. ]

Trying to win an argument with Count Piotr is a bit like trying to bash your head through a brick wall. [ she knows. her voice is sympathetic, even slightly light. ] I'm sorry that you couldn't.

[ for his peace of mind, if nothing else, although...although sonia doesn't think she'd have been able to protect byerly any better if she had known. ]