The trope is set up, now I wait to see whether or not it becomes cliche. Regardless, this chapter like the last one is a marvelous enough read that I felt slightly disappointed when the chapter ended.
Author's response
Aw, thank you! I'm trying my darndest to take this in a new direction, and I also hope it doesn't become clichè. I'm aiming to not fall into easy plots, and I hope I succeeed.
Thanks!