"It's a very good excuse though," he protested with mock-earnesty, grinning at her suspicions. "Old people can get away with just about anything and people will say 'oh, don't mind grandpa, you know how he gets when he has his moments.' It's really quite freeing." Now, though, the jig was up, as they saying went, and Edy had pegged him for a responsible adult who might yet be able to salvage something from the chaos Zariah had caused while trying to bring order to the Hollowed Grounds.
Not alone, though, and preferably not for long before he passed the proverbial scepter to a man who had more skin in the game insofar as actually wanting the kingship - should he find greatness thrust upon him, at least. And with Zariah out in the world, working with the Voice and intending to return? Someone needed to want it who wouldn't abuse it.
"Heads is the usual term, though I think your version might catch on fairly quickly," he said dryly, finally allowing himself to return to the chair and sit down before his knees gave out on him from the relief that was still washing through him that his friend was still the bright, brassy, wicked young woman he thought he knew. He hadn't liked seeing her as Zariah's enforcer, and he hadn't been entirely comfortable with her waving her new dick in his face, but carefree and cackling? That was the Edy he most liked to see, enjoying life and largely unbothered by what the rest of the world might think. "Hmm. Though I suppose if I describe you as 'cocky' now, it will have multiple meanings," he added thoughtfully. "That has some potential, from a lyrical standpoint. Double entendres always go over well after the booze has been flowing for a bit. I don't suppose you have a preferred title, my fellow King - or is it former Queen? Or are we both kings together? Are we sticking with the checkers analogy?" he asked, more than a little rueful as he considered the specifics of the situation - and how best to set it to music later.
Not alone, though, and preferably not for long before he passed the proverbial scepter to a man who had more skin in the game insofar as actually wanting the kingship - should he find greatness thrust upon him, at least. And with Zariah out in the world, working with the Voice and intending to return? Someone needed to want it who wouldn't abuse it.
"Heads is the usual term, though I think your version might catch on fairly quickly," he said dryly, finally allowing himself to return to the chair and sit down before his knees gave out on him from the relief that was still washing through him that his friend was still the bright, brassy, wicked young woman he thought he knew. He hadn't liked seeing her as Zariah's enforcer, and he hadn't been entirely comfortable with her waving her new dick in his face, but carefree and cackling? That was the Edy he most liked to see, enjoying life and largely unbothered by what the rest of the world might think. "Hmm. Though I suppose if I describe you as 'cocky' now, it will have multiple meanings," he added thoughtfully. "That has some potential, from a lyrical standpoint. Double entendres always go over well after the booze has been flowing for a bit. I don't suppose you have a preferred title, my fellow King - or is it former Queen? Or are we both kings together? Are we sticking with the checkers analogy?" he asked, more than a little rueful as he considered the specifics of the situation - and how best to set it to music later.
