#thread:trust

@xjackdaw liked for a starter

“There’s something wrong.”

Ophelia had spoken softly to herself, a hand straying over a stone. It had a name, something grandiose and so typical of her family, but whatever she could feel had upset her far too much to remember it right now. It was a new one, unproven...what kind of curse did it have laid upon it?

Ah, that was the name. Opal of Hidden Truths. Perhaps she should change it to Hidden Lies, if it was going to be this obstinate. Or the Obstinate Opal. 

It was as if the stone was trying to warn her of something. Actions, made only with blackest heart instead of a cold mind. Yet that couldn’t be right, the one she was observing was meant to be on their side. He served the father of her father’s liege. The king. Why would the king - and father of a line that included Leo and Forrest - employ someone so...lacking in moral fiber?

It couldn’t just be the magic that he practiced. Herself, her father and her mother were all the same - ‘dark’ arts didn’t corrupt, not if you knew what you were doing. Her mother had been foolish in her youth, but even that had only taught Ophelia not to judge as all could come back from it. 

He was approaching. He must have seen, must have noticed-a hand ran along the stones she had on the windowsill and scraped them into the pouch on her hip, the Opal clenched in her spare hand as she turned to face him properly - offering all the respect a man of his position deserved. 

She didn’t trust him. Yet, she had to - he served the royal family, and if she wanted to continue being Forrest’s retainer she had to offer him some degree of respect.

“Lord Tactician.” She said quietly, not daring to curtsy and instead forcing a smile. For once, she played up her persona for reasons other than personal enjoyment or wishes - she needed to make sure he didn’t question her. “The stars fortold of a meeting between the Chosen Luminary hero and their agent. I’m honored and humbled to meet you.”

There. That should do it. She needed him to think her a fool, that she hadn’t gotten a glimpse of his nature.