"It would probably look bad if one of our underlings died on our first day in office," Erskine agreed somberly. "Equally bad if we were all out at a carnival in the meantime. People might start to question our eligibility."
"You mean they haven't already?" Skulduggery couldn't quite stop himself from saying.
"Watch it, dead man. I sign your paychecks now."
Skulduggery nodded. "Which makes me first in line to question your eligibility."
"It also makes you first in line to investigate us if we're not, which means that unless you toe the line, you'll be fielding all of the foreign dignitaries demanding our immediate removal from office. Don't you forget that."
Skulduggery let out a theatrical sigh. "So now I'm being blackmailed into covering up your messes for you? How delightful."
For all the light-hearted teasing, however, Skulduggery couldn't have picked a better Council of Elders. The fact that none of the three of them even wanted the position in the first place meant that they were perfect already. Genuinely concerned, demonstrably capable, each of them with a strength in a different area. Not to mention Skulduggery was on good terms with each one. More of his requests might actually be looked at, and what's more, granted, without Skulduggery having to explain himself. Or fight tooth and nail. All in all, this couldn't have worked out better if he'd planned the whole thing.
"I'll skip the carnival, if nobody minds," China announced to the group. "Particularly if we only have a few days to set this up."
"You sure it's not just because you don't want to get your shoes muddy?" Valkyrie teased.
"Oh no," China answered blandly with a look at the teenage girl. "You've found me out. These are new shoes, and I'd really rather not ruin them. Fletcher, if you'd be so kind?"
Fletcher glanced towards Skulduggery, who nodded. "Go ahead. We'll be here. I don't suppose there's any way I can get out of this, too?"
"Dear God, no." Valkyrie shot Skulduggery a smile and grabbed his skeletal hand. "I want to see you ride one of those small roller coasters. Plus, you look handsome when you have a face. Plus, I'm sure God would drag you there Himself if He could."
All valid points, really. Skulduggery's next argument deflated before he could form it. "Fine. After you, Smitey."
On Skulduggery's other side, Ghastly stiffened. "No. I refuse to call him that."
no subject
"You mean they haven't already?" Skulduggery couldn't quite stop himself from saying.
"Watch it, dead man. I sign your paychecks now."
Skulduggery nodded. "Which makes me first in line to question your eligibility."
"It also makes you first in line to investigate us if we're not, which means that unless you toe the line, you'll be fielding all of the foreign dignitaries demanding our immediate removal from office. Don't you forget that."
Skulduggery let out a theatrical sigh. "So now I'm being blackmailed into covering up your messes for you? How delightful."
For all the light-hearted teasing, however, Skulduggery couldn't have picked a better Council of Elders. The fact that none of the three of them even wanted the position in the first place meant that they were perfect already. Genuinely concerned, demonstrably capable, each of them with a strength in a different area. Not to mention Skulduggery was on good terms with each one. More of his requests might actually be looked at, and what's more, granted, without Skulduggery having to explain himself. Or fight tooth and nail. All in all, this couldn't have worked out better if he'd planned the whole thing.
"I'll skip the carnival, if nobody minds," China announced to the group. "Particularly if we only have a few days to set this up."
"You sure it's not just because you don't want to get your shoes muddy?" Valkyrie teased.
"Oh no," China answered blandly with a look at the teenage girl. "You've found me out. These are new shoes, and I'd really rather not ruin them. Fletcher, if you'd be so kind?"
Fletcher glanced towards Skulduggery, who nodded. "Go ahead. We'll be here. I don't suppose there's any way I can get out of this, too?"
"Dear God, no." Valkyrie shot Skulduggery a smile and grabbed his skeletal hand. "I want to see you ride one of those small roller coasters. Plus, you look handsome when you have a face. Plus, I'm sure God would drag you there Himself if He could."
All valid points, really. Skulduggery's next argument deflated before he could form it. "Fine. After you, Smitey."
On Skulduggery's other side, Ghastly stiffened. "No. I refuse to call him that."