Oswin had always been a hothead, a fool too eager to jump into the fray and attack whoever she assumed to be the aggressor before she’d had all the facts. Her frustration with her brother Calder, whose disposition was the exact opposite (more like their mother’s, in fact) was only a glimpse into how Oswin felt about those who refused to act. Years were changing her mind, helping her forward, but it would be those like Macabre and her other sister’s who would continue to support her growth.

To hear Macabre praise her, to tell her the Peak would see a future beneath her reign, filled Oswin with a pride she hadn’t realized she’d needed. She’d taken to the thought of being Prime Minister of the Peak as she looked to everything – she jumped first and only doubted later. When she lost the battle to Ernesto her pride had been wounded, and so she’d sacrificed herself to sulk among the bachelors before she earned her freedom back. Yet Macabre trusted her – even felt she’d make for a strong Peak leader.

It was touching, and the effect of the words were shown over Oswin’s face. Her blue eyes were bright and wide, her smile hung off her pink lips… and she ducked her head as if to avert her gaze only long enough to regain her composure.

“I can’t thank you enough for your confidence in me,” she said, her youthfulness showing in the way her eyes still held their glimmer when next she raised them to Macabre. “I will rely on you, I do rely on you… your knowledge of the islands far surpasses my own. I… can be a little…” Oswin trailed off for a minute, her grin growing somewhat crooked, “hotheaded sometimes, but I promise I will try to heed your advice any time you see fit to offer it.” Macabre was Oswin’s greatest asset and Oswin wouldn’t do to turn her back away on that.

A soft exhale became a chuckle at Macabre’s last words. Oswin nodded her head and favored her sore side. “Same to you.” She thought of Cullen and snorted. “We’ll be ready for him again when next he comes for us.”

oswin
this is as brave as I know how to be.
I know it’s gonna hurt you, but please… be a little proud of me.