He'd meant to ask more. There was still a lot Erskine didn't understand; he was, for one thing, a little worried that any of the others could take on Vile-like qualities if this worked. Not Necromancy, exactly, but... attitude. Thoughts. Things like that. Gabe's last comment did absolutely nothing to resolve that worry, but it still somehow made the idea of it unimportant. Not because the burden would be spread out, but because they'd all feel something of what Skulduggery felt every day.
Maybe it was a purely selfish thing. Because Erskine still didn't properly understand where Vile came from, or why Skulduggery was so worried about Vile making another appearance with the right stressor when not even Skulduggery wanted this to happen again. Maybe Erskine just wanted to understand how all of this happened in the first place.
Or, more likely, maybe he just wanted Skulduggery to feel less of it. As a friend, rather than as an Elder concerned over giving the Devil more ammunition.
Whatever it was, Erskine nodded at the detective. "Corrival will, too. And I'd bet the farm Ghastly's already in."
Skulduggery didn't move for a few seconds, skull impassive and thoughts unknowable - although they could be guessed. Erskine was fairly sure he could guess what they were. The Elder waited a moment longer, and then grinned. "Hang on. Anything he's feeling? Does that include things like love?" He exaggerated a cringe. "Sorry in advance, Skul, but apparently I'm not going to be able to help myself. Are you sure you want to do this?"
"Is that a barb about my arrogance, or about Gabe?"
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He'd meant to ask more. There was still a lot Erskine didn't understand; he was, for one thing, a little worried that any of the others could take on Vile-like qualities if this worked. Not Necromancy, exactly, but... attitude. Thoughts. Things like that. Gabe's last comment did absolutely nothing to resolve that worry, but it still somehow made the idea of it unimportant. Not because the burden would be spread out, but because they'd all feel something of what Skulduggery felt every day.
Maybe it was a purely selfish thing. Because Erskine still didn't properly understand where Vile came from, or why Skulduggery was so worried about Vile making another appearance with the right stressor when not even Skulduggery wanted this to happen again. Maybe Erskine just wanted to understand how all of this happened in the first place.
Or, more likely, maybe he just wanted Skulduggery to feel less of it. As a friend, rather than as an Elder concerned over giving the Devil more ammunition.
Whatever it was, Erskine nodded at the detective. "Corrival will, too. And I'd bet the farm Ghastly's already in."
Skulduggery didn't move for a few seconds, skull impassive and thoughts unknowable - although they could be guessed. Erskine was fairly sure he could guess what they were. The Elder waited a moment longer, and then grinned. "Hang on. Anything he's feeling? Does that include things like love?" He exaggerated a cringe. "Sorry in advance, Skul, but apparently I'm not going to be able to help myself. Are you sure you want to do this?"
"Is that a barb about my arrogance, or about Gabe?"
Erskine shrugged. "Take your pick."