Re: Anthegenian Fleet - The Invierna
"Oh, I would hope so, Anansi dear. It'd devastate the heart of many a maiden if they ever learnt they could lose to a ship; although, of course, for a ship like this..." Pause. "No, no, I don't think they'd forgive you anyway. Unless, improbably, the ship had its own young, attractive, and virile form, and they were allowed to watch. I suppose you could always petition Thalia here for an upgrade like that; you wouldn't mind, would you, Thalia dear? It's all, after all, for a good cause, and I'm sure we could make a healthy profit thereafter."
But now the gold had all but drained from her eyes, and she lets her hand slip from the wall with a slow, satisfied sigh. "I do suppose this is my own fault for closeting myself, though. A few centuries, and they start building works of art and call them airships instead; I simply must congratulate you on this one, Thalia. Whatever led you to gift it to this lying, silver-tongued Lunar over here?" But her grin said she was teasing. Probably. "I do think I'll have to interrogate you later, though, but I've left all my implements at home. You don't mind pretending to scream when I turn the invisible rack?" There's a odd, loud clicking as she circles a hand in the air, and she winks.
And, in response to Lilith: "Oh, I think we know, dear, but it's interesting to see how he does it this time, isn't it? Like how the heroes always win in those wonderful little novels. Maybe he'll even let someone else win, and be all self-effacing thereafter; it's been a while, after all." And then, in a more distant voice: "But, oh, what is he doing over there? Ha. Clever, clever boy..."