Quoted By:
"What?" you say, then notice his stupid little notepad flipped smartly open. "Oh, come <span class="mu-i">on.</span> No. Now is <span class="mu-i">not</span> the time for— I mean, <span class="mu-i">yes,</span> I have, the horrible fish one. The pagan. Happy?"
"No, I don't believe that one would explain matters. But thank you. Any others?"
"No. No." You jab at his chest. "I am not <span class="mu-i">here</span> to answer your stupid questions. I am <span class="mu-i">here</span> to—"
"I have felt the stunt you pulled in there," Horse Face says patiently, "primarily from gods of various sorts. I am wondering which one you got it from."
«Hm.»
"Oh," you say. Then "I'm not a <span class="mu-i">god.</span> Though I do have god blood. But no, that communion was account of my heroism and my high station, probably, which makes me highly sensitive to the ebbings and flowings of lesser peoples, and ani... animals! Yes indeed. I can speak to animals, on account of my pure heart."
«What.»
Do you not speak to Richard every day? And Gil? And (are worms animals? surely they—) <span class="mu-i">Annie the Worm?</span> Horse Face isn't paying attention: you tongue your loose tooth as he finishes scribbling. "God...blood. Thank you. And is this an infusion? Ingestion? Direct descendance?"
"Uhhh," you say. "I think it's... ancestral?"
"Ancestral. Thank you. Very interesting." Scribble scribble. "And what precisely did you glean from me?"
You fold your arms righteously. "Um, how <span class="mu-i">precisely</span> is that any of your business? I glean-ed— maybe I didn't glean anything at all? Maybe we just had a handshake of <span class="mu-i">forgiveness and comradery,</span> Horse Face, like normal people, and now you've— you've <span class="mu-i">reconsidered</span> your foul ways. And you're feeling very gracious and helpful. That seems way more realistic than any sort of <span class="mu-i">gleaning,</span> and— I mean, who would even think— that just sounds stupid, doesn't it? How would that even work?"
"Lottie," he says, "it doesn't matter very much, overall. I'm only curious."
"Curious... about helping me? Why, naturally." You toss your head. "As within your VERY BEING you wish— wish <span class="mu-i">dearly</span> to assist me in any fashion. You are merely hiding it, as you are hiding your POWERFUL DESIRE to assist your dear friend Madrigal, who at this very instant is being held prisoner by the villainous and scheming Patricia. Though your callous nature precludes you from directly offering—"
"Offering what?"
You were hoping to build up to it a little more, but... "Um, to help me talk to maybe-Madrigal. By using your trickery on Lucky, and, um— you know, convincing him to—"
"Well, I don't see why not," Horse Face says.
(2/4?)
