[Sothis had been expecting some sort of fight, honestly. She had been braced for it: suspicious questions on why she'd want it, what she intended, why should he give something that belonged to him to her, he needed its power, etcetera. But instead, Claude simply agreed without a fuss, and it left Sothis a little wrong-footed and unsure on what to say next.

She had thought Claude would fail, as all humans eventually did. Not that she was stupid enough to take him at face value - he can so easily agree here, yet keep Failnaught hidden if it ever did fall into his greedy hands. But the fact he didn't even bother with a token protest or to be inappropriately inquisitive about her intentions genuinely took her off guard briefly. She always floundered when her combativeness or baiting didn't result in horn-locking.]

Well. Good. [Her voice was almost comically stiff, the deep frown on her face clearly conveying her confusion at how easily Claude had capitulated.] You have some sense after all. Assuming you keep your word, that is.

[Her frown eased into something less stern, chewing over her next words.]

For what I intend... I want to give them the funeral rites that my daughter Rhea should have bestowed on them. This will result in the destruction of your vaunted Relic, so do not expect to have it returned once I have finished.