[ The hum, the way he talks about his kids -- this guy is so much like Magnus it makes Gideon's chest hurt. He probably likes to throw dinner parties and thinks puns are funny. Fortunately, Gideon is able to stay somewhat out of his direct line of sight while he makes the tea. She tells herself he won't notice her crossing her arms tightly, like she's hugging herself. Gideon hasn't pulled that shit since she was eleven. Whatever she's doing, it's not to comfort herself.

Obviously. ]

It's not the corruption, or whatever, it's fine now. Better than the alternative.

[ She won't elaborate on what the alternative is, but based on the edge in her voice, it's bad. ]

I just fucked up, you know? But whatever, I'll get over it. You shouldn't get too mixed up in it. [ Gideon smiles, tired an wan. ] You don't wanna get hurt, not if you've got kids back home.

[ Gideon thinks about those shitty Fourth House teens and shivers, once. Then, she doesn't. Nothing good ever comes of that. ]