Cowplant-Snacks

Grace: [quietly] For yourself, for Helena, I kindly recommend you get your shit together. The whole point was to present a united front.

Now, I brewed more of that tincture for you. The first vial must be nearly empty by now, assuming you’ve actually been taking it. [raises eyebrow] Have you?

Caleb: Yes.

Grace: Is it working?

Caleb: Presumably. She pretends to know things, but it’s obvious she’s bluffing. At any rate, I haven’t felt her rooting around, and she’s never been subtle about it.

Grace: And her suspicion hasn’t been aroused?

Caleb: Only her annoyance, I think. She believes I’ve gotten better at blocking her — which I have, of course — but having reinforcements doesn’t hurt.

Grace: I’d say so. It puts less of a strain on you. Has Helena wondered why she can’t hear your thoughts?

Caleb: Not aloud. She’s been distracted, and telepathy is still too new to her for her to miss it.

Grace: Well, without any unwanted intrusions, you should be clear-headed enough to seriously consider how to get the both of you as far away from her as possible.

Caleb: Grace.

Grace: “It’s not that easy. She’s my sister.” I’m tired of hearing it, Caleb! What if I said it was that easy? Family doesn’t have to be forever. Blood hardly matters without love, and whatever feeling lies between you two now is far from it. I can only go soft on you for so long. You’re teetering on the edge of a very precarious cliff, and I’d rather it didn’t crumble into the sea with you still on it! [sighs wearily] Just tell me you’ll think about it.

Caleb: I already think about it a great deal.

Grace: Then do something about it. As for the vial, remember, one drop a day. Maybe two if the effect starts to wane. But unless you want to scramble the contents of your brain, don’t-

Caleb: I know. I’ll be careful.

Grace: [more gently] To your credit, you always are. See if you can’t get Helena to be too.

-

Caleb: I’m sorry if you felt ambushed. Grace can be blunt, but she always means well.

Helena: It would’ve been nice to have warning is all. And not to be treated like I’m stupid.

Caleb: I don’t think you’re stupid, and neither does she. We just-

Helena: Want me to be aware of Lilith’s sinister dealings, I know. I can watch my own back. But, hey, at least the cupcakes were good.

Caleb: Helena, I don’t think we’re quite-

Helena: [gasps in surprise]