[Jaki Vampyler]

Jaki believed that it was very important to let people finish what they were saying so she bit her lip at his first piece of news and allowed him to continue. Which was hard, for certainly she wanted to exclaim her surprise and ask a hundred questions. But then the second piece of news? She raised her eyebrow and looked at him with an expression that she usually reserved only for him in moments of extreme teasing. But it was tinged with an edge of some other thing this time, some other emotion that was in her mind.

Choosing her words rather carefully at first, she looked at him with a considered expression Well, I believe I may answer these two points separately she said, with an expression of controlled amazement on her face

As for the situation with the Empress, I rather suppose I have but one question for you, Epicurus. Are you falling in love with her, or are you already there? Jaki had never been known for beating around the bush with him, and it would appear that now was likely to be no different because no matter who else she is, I know what that look on your face means. Does she feel the same for you? Her brother? Her brother!? she looked at him and wondered briefly if he was simply teasing her, but she knew by the expression on his face and by the way that the muscle in his left cheek flexed involuntarily that this was something that he had considered greatly.

When he had answered the first, she moved on to the second. A daughter? she asked, quietly. For a moment she simply considered this, the reality of it and the possible explanations filtered through her brain. Well, I rather suppose that my only question to that is would you please explain it all to me? You have a hurt in your eyes when you speak of her. What is it?

She looked at him, watching him carefully and listening intently to him. Whatever it was, she would accept it utterly because he was Epicurus. For the moment she let the topic of the sword and the sword teacher drop, for although it was of great significance to her personally, surely they had more important things to talk about than her need for both a sword and a teacher but before you do that, my brother she said, speaking so softly it was almost a whisper and she leant across and briefly squeezed his hand I feel I must tell you that I have missed you every day. My heart is lightened to see you. Pray, tell me all

Not one for overly extreme displays of affection, that was quite a significant move for Jaki, who then sat back and listened, her hands clasped loosely in her lap and her eyes focused entirely on him.