Liliana's schemes, it would seem, were additionally rewarded by the rare appearance of open surprise on Ignis' face. It was still subtle, of course, in the lift of his chin, a raising of his brow, both of which seemed to settle as if being dragged back to where they'd been, and then even closer to Liliana again, with that trailing of her finger.

"It's hardly the squirrels I would expect to give you any trouble in that regard," he noted. "I believe the true testament to your skillful planning," and let's face it, that was only adding to the impressive pile of his admiration right now, "was that you managed to pull it off without Prompto letting it slip."


But the wryness of his small jab toward his chatty fair-haired friend smoothed out into another soft, genuine smile that he couldn't quite help, full of admiration and gratitude and warmth that he hoped to further express with a soft brush of his thumb against her cheek.

"And you really went through all that? For...this?"

This was not the word actually on the tip of his tongue, but it was the only word he seemed to be able to use, that ever-stubborn shred of uncertainty and doubt clinging to me and refusing to let it be acknowledged. At least not directly.