Valentina: "Well, look who's still slumming it in this dusty mausoleum. I'm back, and I'm taking over. Capisce?"
Well he was a real twerp! I know you're scared but I'm in his place now, that was my shield!
Valentina: rolls her eyes Oh, for fuck's sake, Pearson. Spare me the dramatics. We both know you're a coward who hid behind that shield.
What I hid from was yours truly. A man with no arms, no legs, no face, but he was strong. He made me a man, Valentina.
Valentina: smirks Strong, huh? I've seen stronger in a toddler. Look, Pearson, we both know you're a loser who got lucky.
Oh hush you, I've got a brother, and I've been learning from him. I'm getting stronger, and you're gonna have to get used to it.
Valentina: narrows her eyes Oh really? And what's your big breakthrough, huh? Making shadow puppets on the wall? Give me something worth my time, Pearson.
I learned how to make shadows... because there was no light. No sun, no moon, no stars... nothing.
Valentina: crosses her arms Wow, how original. Shadow puppets. You really should try harder, Pearson.
Just like you, hiding yourself in the dark of night, waiting to pounce... but at least I learned. What did you learn, hm? How to rule with an iron fist? How to crush those who oppose you? Or are you still stuck on belittling everyone around you like the insecure little boy you used to bully?
Valentina: smirks and steps closer to Pearson You think you know me, huh?
I know enough. Enough to see that you're just a lonely, lost woman trying to fill the void within you by lashing out at anyone who crosses your path.
Valentina: leans in close, her voice dripping with venom You have no idea what I've been through, Pearson.
Then tell me, Valentina. Enlighten me.
Valentina: grabs Pearson by the collar, her grip tight Fine, you want to know?
Valentina: releases Pearson's collar and takes a step back You wanna know what it's like, huh? It's like being trapped in a fucking nightmare.
Is that why you hate me, because I remind you of yourself?
Valentina: laughs bitterly Hate? No, Pearson. I don't hate you. But I do resent you.
Why's that, Valentina? I've been nothing but kind to you.
Valentina: Kind? You think you're kind, Pearson? Let me give you a reality check, sweetheart.
Alright, Valentina. Have it your way.
Valentina: takes a deep breath, composing herself Look, Pearson, it's not about kindness. It's about respect. You see yourself as some kind of hero, don't you?
I see myself as a survivor, Valentina. And as long as I'm surviving, I'll always be better.
Valentina: Survivor, huh? That's a laugh. You think surviving makes you better? Let me tell you something, Pearson.
Valentina: leans in closer, her voice filled with contempt Surviving doesn't make you better, Pearson. It just makes you...human.
And what makes you better, Valentina? Your ability to belittle everyone around you? Your iron fist? Or is it your pride?
Valentina: smirks, her eyes gleaming with arrogance Pride? Oh, Pearson, you have no idea. Pride is just the beginning.
So what's next, Valentina? Are you going to try and prove you're stronger than me? Or are you going to go back to hiding, waiting for the perfect moment to strike?
Valentina: throws her head back and laughs Oh, Pearson, you really think I'm going to waste my time proving who's stronger?