deathsmajesty | (Reply)

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"Well, you certainly don't need my permission, my darling," Liliana said. "And it doesn't seem like they're talking to me, so..."

"Gideon." Jace's voice was tentative, slight. He nodded towards the far corner and the two of them shifted over there to talk quietly amongst themselves. Liliana made sure to show no hint of the smile she felt, while Chandra chattered at them both to relieve some of the awkwardness of the moment. Yes, Cloak Boy, bumble your hesitant way toward your sincere desire to help me.

They came back a few minutes later and it was clear Gideon was not happy about it. Though Liliana was not sure Gideon was ever happy about anything. You should at least delight in your youth and attractiveness while you still have it. Why are children so dumb?

There were more do-gooder words about do-gooding, Gideon asking if she, too, would keep watch, but Liliana was too focused on the oath to pay close attention. She had thought extensively about the right approach to the oath. Too sincere, too sugary, and suspicions would be raised—suspicions that would make her next steps harder. But too cynical, too revealing, and those suspicions would instead be confirmed. She needed a delicate touch, a hint of cynicism but with her heart clearly in the right place. Worse yet, she wasn't just trying to convince these idiots children, but Ignis, who knew her far better than they ever would.

"Oh fine," she sighed. "I can already tell that Ignis wants to - or at least feels obliged to anyway - and who am I to interfere?" A slight wrinkle of her nose, another sigh, and she was offering up her oath. "I've learned over the past year and a half that together we're more powerful than we are alone. If that means I can do what needs to be done without relying on the Chain Veil, then I'll keep watch. Happy now?"