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"A bit too clever I'm sick of the stuff"

Max snorted, slapped Tavi's hands out of the way, and started fastening the collar "Stop eating it, then"

"I can't tell half the people in the Real and not eat it myself, Max"

"Sure you can You're the First Lord" Max arched an eyebrow "You must not hate it all that much This tunic fit you at your confirht taste terrible, but it's apparently good for you Plus I' armor around every day, now"

"And it shows," Max said cheerfully He got the collar fastened with one last, hard tug, then eyed Tavi carefully "Why is your face turning red?"

Tavi idly slid an effort of will into the cloth of gold,its strands to stretch out a bit Once the collar had loosened, he was able to exhale withoutan effort "There How's that?"

"Oh, ah," Max said, looking him over judiciously "You look like a First Lord"

"How descriptive Thank you"

"Anyti

"Max," Tavi said "Have have you heard fro Officially, he's helping his father and et the situation in Antillus under control But he's still upset about well Everything"

Tavi nodded, frowning "I'runted sourly Then said, "She's gotten alht do soood hands, as far as healing is concerned I I wish I knehat to do to ," Max said bluntly "Give it tis worse if you push"

Tavi nodded "Thanks"

"Always happy to explain the obvious to you, Calderon Now if you'll excuse irl want to be seduced ot plans I'll see you at the ceremony"

"Veradis is here, isn't she?" Tavi asked "Do you honestly think she's going to change her rinned "No telling until I try, is there?" He paused by the door, and said,in on her, since her father died Making sure no one's been giving her a hard tiht have spoken a feords into the ears of some of Cereus's clients ere not, shall we say, appreciative of the sacrifice he made"

Tavi s anything Back in the Acade the owners of crooked ga houses in the same terms