Fucking maddening, that's what it is. She'd have had a reaction in her own Kingdom, were she to say similar things to the retainers or her teacher or - God forbid - anyone within the royal family itself. She's aiming for return quips, fire for fire, or perhaps a torrent of abuse so loud and so long she'll still be congratulating herself on her stellar personality long after Lenore has to be removed from the room. This is...different. Just makes her want to try harder somehow, which leaves her with a strange feeling she doesn’t know how to name.

But they play the game, and Gideon pays attention. Finds it easy enough to learn because she's interested, if only due to a dire lack of stimulation during her forced stay here. So she'll never be a scholar or a master tactician, but she has more of a handle on herself than she'd ever overtly admit to. There are a few infuriating moments where she comes so close to winning, only for Lanore to beat her at the last, and when her captor calls an end to the game there's a small detonation of disappointment in her. Surely just because she hasn't won yet, and not because the hours will seem empty once the vampire has gone.

"The fuck? Oh, sure. I know your game. You knew I was like, one hand away from handing you your ass," she rolls her eyes expansively, "you're gonna leave the collar off, though? It's kiiiinda overkill, just saying. Like sure, I'm hot stuff with a sword, but I can't just magic myself out of a cage."

There’s a request in there somewhere, disguised under a question.