It’s a trap, and they all know it.
What they don’t know is why Acting Grand Master Jean, knowledgeable of the earlier said fact, still wants to place herself in danger by taking the bait.
“You did hear all of us say that this is a trap, right?” Kaeya had asked, arms crossed as he leaned on the door to the Grand Master’s office.
“Grand Master Jean,” Barbara had piped up, emphasizing her name, “please reconsider.” Her tone had been curt. It’s the first time in a long while Jean’s heard her voice with such gravity.
“I agree with Barbara, Grand Master.” That had been Lumine. ‘Of course, she agrees with Barbara.’
“Grand Master, if you really must go, then you should at least bring us with you.” Amber had said, sweet and respectful girl that she is.
Even Diluc had given his two cents about official Knights of Favonius matter. Although, Jean speculates that what had prompted him to make the trip to the headquarters and speak to her has more to do with her safety in general.
She heard them all, and she understood them all. She knows where they’re all coming from. After all, that's where she’s coming from as well when she chose to do what she’s setting out to do.
And so, she had rebuffed them all.
Even her.
“You’re not gonna change your mind, are you?” Lisa had asked quietly, green eyes trained on blue ones.
Jean had brought up her hand to brush her knuckles against Lisa’s cheek – gently, always gently. “No,” the blonde had sighed, apologetic, “not even for my affection for you.”
“I see,” the librarian had said, sigh defeated. “Well, I had to try.” She had smiled, wetly, as she rose to her feet. She had made for the door, to let Jean finish her preparations.
The mage was about to exit the room, but she had stopped upon hearing Jean’s voice. “I’ll be careful,” the blonde had suddenly declared. Lisa turned back to look at her. She saw a small smile gracing the knight’s face. “And I’ll be home to you before you know it.” Jean had continued, resolve apparent in both voice and expression.
Lisa had smiled slyly. “You better,” had been her challenging answer. “Or I’ll hunt you down and drag you back here myself.”
Jean does come home quickly, triumphant smile in place. There’s not a scratch on her, not even a trace of battle to be seen, when Lisa inspects her. She’s in one piece, with everything in their right place.
“I told you I’d be careful,” the blonde smirks, looking surprisingly and uncharacteristically smug proud of herself.
Lisa returns the smirk with a wider one of her own. She leans closer. Jean welcomes her presence like one would a breath of fresh air, oblivious of what’s to come her way. Because Lisa doesn’t do what Jean’s expecting, nay, wishing for her to do.
“Jean, we all know you can heal yourself,” the mage whispers, sending shivers down the Acting Grand Master’s spine.
Jean gulps. Her last resigned thought being that: at least Lisa didn’t have to find and drag her back home. That’s sure to be worse than what she’d just been through with her expedition, or what she’s gonna be through this time with Lisa – infinite times worse.