"It is good for your own sakes, and for those of your Houses, and for all of the Nine Houses, which so desperately need Lyctors - for My sake, only because I cannot do all that I need to do alone, which for many is the greatest and most terrible lesson of Lyctorhood."

Uh huh.

"And, ah, what exactly is it we are needed for?"

"The duties of a Lyctor are many, though the most critical that only Lyctors can perform: setting and maintaining the obelisk network; rapid response across systems to a variety of needs; and defending the Nine Houses and our colonies from exceptional threats, like sudden attacks, powerful revenants, and the Resurrection Beasts. There's also traditional duties that are much more efficient when performed by a Lyctor, and that would be varyingly difficult to change to be led by non-Lyctors exclusively: serving as Admiral of the Fleet, as Supreme Justice of the Court, and in the Great Offices - National Security/ Intelligence, Necromancy/ Innovation, Treasury/ Infrastructure, and the Civil Service and Home Department; as well as leading high level diplomatic efforts and signing treaties on My behalf as needed."

"Sounds like a lot of fun. Is there an apprenticeship period or learn-by-doing?"

"Apprenticeship, as well as other forms of education and orientation - with seven of you, and only three original Lyctors plus Myself remaining, we'll need to be strategic, and the transition to fully independent practice will need to be step-wise. Your teachers will also pass on what they know of Lyctoral necromancy to you."

"Oh good. More school."

"You did say you're a big fan of my work, earlier - I could tutor you privately."

Big sigh. 

She winks and flashes a thumbs up at Ivy.

"As long as necromantic instruction is, actually, occurring..."

Phoe can occur all night long-

-she doesn't say, because Babs is giving her a look from across the table.

"You're more than welcome to supervise, my Lord," Ivy purrs.

"Sexually harassing God still doesn't count as a hobby," says God. There's a thread of amusement hidden behind Her tone, though. 

Ivy sighs dramatically, and in a totally unsubtle aside to Phoe: "Do you see what I have to put up with?" she stage-whispers. 

Surprised giggle!

Yeah, this is going to end up just like the First.

It's getting Gideon to relax despite her overall wariness, if nothing else.

(Which is making Phae more suspicious - though she's doing a pretty good job of hiding that.) 

"What of our Houses, my Lord?" she asks, trying possibly in vain to steer the conversation away from her sister's general horniness. 

"You cannot return to the Nine Houses, not while the threat of the Resurrection Beasts remains - but they will receive My boon, and you may of course still send messages whenever your duties permit."

"What manner of boon?"

"Whatever is within my power - and within reason - to grant." Slight, wry smile. "That isn't 'anything imaginable,' unfortunately. If it was, we would hardly be here - but I can list examples of what might be in my power, and you need not request something right away."

"Lord," Ellyn says, "the Ninth House begs renewal. A generation it has lost, and now its scion and brightest flower as well. As you loved Anastasia, let not what remains of her works fall to dust."