24 5.2

The look I got from my stepmother told me exactly how stupid my question was. I knew better, but my mind and my mouth weren't always connected. I gave her an overly dramatic sigh in response, and we settled down for a long chat.

The version of events I offered her was a slightly abridged version of the story I gave Orion. I made sure to edit out incriminating details such as mentions of how annoying I found her stewards, how fascinated I was with Cinder, etcetera etcetera. I did not doubt that she had already read the report that the Captain had filed, but my instincts of self-preservation told me not to admit anything that could be used against me in a case like this. Plus, if luck was on my side, he only recorded pertinent details. Knowing his habit of being obsessively thorough, it was unlikely, but what was one without hope?

Sometime during my long-winded oration, Probably Joseph had come in with a small tray of tea sandwiches and some cucumber water. I hadn't noticed him drop them off, which means he had been quick and quiet enough to slip in and out without me noticing. I vowed to pay more attention to the man; I imagine it was only a matter of time before his mask of perfect precision slipped and he started using his powers for evil.

Still, the gesture was appreciated. My throat had dried out from talking and water, even water with vegetables floating in it, sounded like a wonderful idea. At least talking with my stepmother provided more comparative benefits than my interrogation with the Captain. There was a voice in the back of my mind that warned against me developing a false sense of security but I ignored it as I drained my glass.

The queen had a thoughtful look on her face, one that I knew all too well. If my experience was any indicator, she was plotting something. Usually, it was something I would disapprove of. I always got caught up in everyone's plots in the worst way, and Maria's were the worst. It seemed only prudent to try and redirect her before she could plan the destruction of anything important.

"So..." I drew out the word for too long, clearly a bad idea. She would be able to sense it like blood in the water. "I was hoping I could join in the investigation for the thief?"

Her eyes snapped to mine, and the look in them gave me chills. The blood had not gone unnoticed, and the predatory gleam reminded me of a tiger preparing to strike.

"Whatever for, darling?" Oh dear. I was doomed.

At this point, she probably knew all of my secrets and all of my plans. I wouldn't put it past her to have figured out a way to read minds, and even without that she had likely planned out all of my future moves like an experienced chess master. My only hope for survival was to attempt to redirect her.

I went for the emotional manipulation tactic. "You know how much that watch means to me. It's the only thing I have left from my grandfather." This was completely true. She had been with me after the death of my grandfather, and she knew how much he meant to me. I made no secret of how much I treasured it, and it was one of the reasons I wanted to join the search. The fact that this wasn't my main goal was immaterial. It was as good of an excuse to join as any.

"I want to find it before it gets melted down or sold too far away for me to ever get it back." Also completely true. "If I'm part of the investigation, at least I could do something." Waiting around for things to happen was never my style, and the very thought drove me insane.

The final barb that Rufus had thrown at me surfaced, and I decided that I would throw it into the emotional mix. "And this way, maybe I will be able to do something useful for once."

It hurt more than I thought it would for me to admit that out loud, and I channeled that pain and frustration into making my facial appearance as sad and pitiful as I knew how. I don't know how successful it was, but it would be remiss of me to not at least attempt.

I don't know how convinced my stepmother was. She kept eye contact with me as she reached forward, got herself a sandwich and some water, finished both, and delicately wiped her mouth with a napkin. She set it down and gave me a thoughtful nod.

"I suppose I could arrange for something like that."

Success was within my grasp. I almost jumped up and hugged her, but at that moment she continued.

"Of course, I will have some conditions first."