on odds & ends

[mockeries]

I see you haven't faltered in your intent to send me to space. Nor in your perusal of yet other places to which to send me.

— No, no, I don't mean to complain; I would not dream of being half so ... ungrateful, shall we say. It is an unbecoming trait, after all.

That said, take care. I have no intention of suffering the consequences of a misstep on your end. There is no such thing as an easy game, even when one is provided with a slate that is nearly blank. I should know.

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[mockeries]

[ This is the extent to which he asks her to be dutiful: when she answers, his thumb traces a line over her cheek. He leans in, perhaps a little too close, but as she finishes speaking, he straightens up and lets go. (Again, praise in the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes, in the curve of his mouth.) ]

And to plan, in the guise of service.

[wont]

[ It is not until he has released her chin that she gathers her hands together again, one gasped in the other. Her face feels warm but Alayne refuses to acknowledge it by rubbing her cheek. ]

And who is it that we do serve, father? [ Perhaps it is a silly question or, if it isn't, perhaps he will not answer. There were something that were not for Alayne to know. (Or perhaps she knows the answer already. ] Serve truly.