Despite the way Ness is watching him, eagle-eyed for any hint that he finds her logic wanting, there's no clue as to whether Stephen caught that particular bit of rhetorical legerdemain. Either way, they've moved on to a point she has a better rebuttal to; she'll take it for the win it is.
"I propose that we don't publicize the purpose of the amputation. Of course the Division Heads would have to be made aware, the Provost most especially. And I would not want you to lie to Captain Baudin if it would affect either of you negatively. But other than that..."
She shrugs, and switches her stance, holding her hands in front of her lap.
"An accident can be arranged. Amputation is needful when bones shatter, isn't it?"
She is, perhaps, a little too cool with the idea of grievous bodily injury as the solution to this problemβor it may appear that way, so long as Stephen doesn't glance to her hands: bleeding white at the knuckles from how hard she's clenching them.
no subject
"I propose that we don't publicize the purpose of the amputation. Of course the Division Heads would have to be made aware, the Provost most especially. And I would not want you to lie to Captain Baudin if it would affect either of you negatively. But other than that..."
She shrugs, and switches her stance, holding her hands in front of her lap.
"An accident can be arranged. Amputation is needful when bones shatter, isn't it?"
She is, perhaps, a little too cool with the idea of grievous bodily injury as the solution to this problemβor it may appear that way, so long as Stephen doesn't glance to her hands: bleeding white at the knuckles from how hard she's clenching them.