"Yes, yes, you're very worldly," he says dismissively, waving a hand. He crosses his arms, then, leaning back slightly, eyeing her with consideration. "Well, then you can fill in the expletives one could use for it. That hardly matters.

"What matters a bit more," he continues, "is also making sure you believe the lie. That's the key to pulling off all fictions. You cannot simply utter an untruth. You have to accept that untruth in your heart. You have to completely live it, and not let any other thought enter your mind. Say I wanted to pretend I was a respectable, compassionate creature - " He presses a hand to his heart. "Then I would have to only think clean thoughts. So if you want to be powerful, you must believe yourself powerful."