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"It’s not even nine Aren’t you presenting the Mask in a few minutes?"

"I was, but it’s tedious statecraft I asked your friend Roque to do it, if that’s fine with you Actually, he asked me Same difference"

"No No, that’s better actually" It’ll be good for Roque to be included asPublic displays of friendship are a good place to start

Lorn props his back against the tree "My old bones creak at night I’ to check on security so I don’t have to talk to any of these slippery people" He watches a ripWing pass high overhead

"Let someone else do that" A Pink hands Lorn the tumbler of whiskey I ordered His favorite label He sniffs, subdued "I only get to see you in arot two bottles of the Lagavulin for you"

"Back to your old tricks Two bottles for an extra two hours of training, wasn’t that the deal? Should have chargedwith his grandchildren in the trees I watch the Pink who delivered his drink slip back into the crowd, her uely familiar

A woman loops her arm in mine I turn excitedly only to find Victra She doesn’t notice my disappointasus on your Mask" She laughs at ht Darrow au Augustus" She shivers playfully "The wo"

I rollto a group of young Peerless from the Gas Giants, she leans close "But does itto make me blush?"

She pulls the laurel wreath fro foolishly "You’ve foundanyway?"

"Why is everyone so da an ivory box large enough for the Triumph Mask He’s sleek in a black Praetor’s uniforather for the Mask presentation Do you knohere? I’m a bit confused about this whole affair"

Victra frowns "Citadel staff is still discombobulated The Bellona had the place for a h the Pinks for spies Especially after what happened in Attica He’s got his " She sets my laurel wreath back onwhere the Golds asse us