[ It is a peculiar vulnerability, even with her identity as half-glimpsed as he is certain it is. One that Miles is intimately familiar with: to be in debt, mortal debt, in ways one can never repay. It's the story of his entire life. Everything his parents sacrificed to bring him into the world, every hardship they endured and every dream they gave up to keep him in it. They could have done so many things that would not be immoral in the slightest yet would have destroyed Miles utterly. Having more children, making Miles grow up in in their shadow ... He knows how mad his mother was for a pack of children, and how his existence prevented any thought of bringing them into the world.

God. How he misses them right now.

But these are not the matters at hand. Miles bows his head, acknowledging the gravity of the oath now binding them. For he is bound to her as surely as her debt binds her to him. Questions at this point would surely be an evening of the playing field as much as it is satisfaction for his curiosity. ]

Then I shall. As much as I hope that it never comes to such extremes.

[ His gaze settles on the silver phial. ]

You said you would answer my questions, though?