A question on Reverse Psychology before I go to bed tonight. I'm writing a scene in chapter 7 of KQ5, and Graham and Cedric have just escaped the Swarthy Hog.
After Graham says this: “I didn’t have much choice in the matter. It was either leave you in there at the mercy of those thieves and I’d continue on alone, or it was doing something that would be questionable like pretending to be a thief myself so I could help you get out. I would NEVER do something like this normally, unless there was no other way. If I did things like this all the time when I was your age, you think I ever would have been chosen to become King? No. Have a little faith in me, Cedric!”
The scene goes on like this:
Cedric was silent for a moment, then he sighed, “You know every time you’ve said that, we’ve always gotten into trouble somehow: Those brigands and that desert monster, the Dark Forest, the Swarthy Hog. Yes, we’ve gotten out alive each time, but just barely, and it’s still not over yet, I know.”
“Cedric, what-“
“Please Graham,” Cedric held up his hand and dipped his head a bit. “Let me speak. I just want you to think for a moment about something: Throughout your journey here, what have I done for you?”
“You think you’re useless?”
His head came up again. “Yes!” he exclaimed. Archimedes hooted and flapped his wings in protest. Cedric snapped at the owl, “Shush Archimedes, shush! Be quiet!” he looked back at Graham, “What use have I been to you, Graham? You’re a knight, you’re a king, you’re an adventurer! It seems that you have a way to get out of every situation, and I’ve not once seen you with fear in your eyes. Me? I’m just a spineless, sorry excuse for a wizard’s apprentice, who can’t even face off against the witch who murdered my own mother without trembling and stuttering like mad! Let’s face it, Graham… you are better off alone. You don’t need a little twerp like me on your heels all day.”
I know that the Reverse Psychology response would be like: "You're right. I AM better off alone, Cedric. goodbye!"
But... while that would convince Cedric otherwise (who was probably expecting the opposite response), I can't help but feel it would make Graham sound like a jerk. but, if he goes for the opposite response ("You're not useless Cedric!") I feel like I would be retreading what Graham said in chapter 3.
