>>5142995However, that sense of relief is short-lived. You can sense the tension when the gateman recognizes you. He welcomes you, sure enough, and this servant of the Engel household is eager enough to lead you inside… But you are an empath now, by Irinnile’s association and by your own growing magical prowess. You are on-edge, and you KNOW it is with good reason.
That reason becomes apparent when Edwin comes to greet you in the main hall, summoned by the servant. His eyes are red-rimmed—From crying? Lack of sleep? Both? His expression and body language are so stiff an unnatural to him that you hardly need to be an empath to tell that something is wrong.
“Hello,” you say with a small smile. “I… Ssuppossse you’ve been worried about me?”
“You suppose?” he repeats.
You aren’t certain what to say, and so you say nothing. Edwin waits, the tension growing… But he is a man uncomfortable with long silences, and you can sense that something is building in him, something that he wishes to release.
‘And it ain’t what I was hoping for,’ Irinnile sighs.
“Would you care to join me in the study?” Edwin says aloud—loud enough for his father’s servants to hear. “Alone, of course.”
You can do little else but accept. What else WOULD you do? You follow him, closely at first… But further when he shrugs your hand away from his arm.
‘Aw shit,’ murmurs Irinnile from within.
When you reach the study, Edwin is well ahead of you, facing the wall.
“Shut the door,” he says quietly. “Please.”
You stare for a moment, calculating your move. What is this? Is he mad because you… Well, abandoned him at a party, then disappeared following an apparent attack by foreign demonologists? Because your didn’t check in for a full day afterwards? That’s…
Well, okay, maybe reasonable. From a weak, co-dependant, human point of view.
Still, it demands a response. But how to respond? And…
‘Hey,’ Irinnile notes, noticing it at the same time you do, ‘that’s our bag in the corner!’
‘MY bag,’ you correct pointedly… But damned if the demon isn’t entirely correct. In the corner of the study is your bag, with all your myriad possessions.
All your possessions. Including the Serpent Priest staff you had been keeping wrapped up, under your bed.
‘Ffffffuuuuck,’ Irinnile whispers.
Edwin turns around, follows your gaze… And then turns back to you, meeting your eyes. You have no idea how much he knows, or thinks he knows.
What do you do?
>Attempt to preempt and assuage his concerns with a cover-story [please specify the details]>React with outrage—how dare he snoop in your room?!>Attempt to brush off his concerns, and to flirt your way out of trouble—a robust breakfast and a rough bout of make-up sex will solve this!>Blurt out the truth, and beg understanding and forgiveness>Say nothing—don’t panic!—and wait for Edwin to begin talking>Write-in 