“Oh, no. No plants or lovers allowed the mission I’m afraid.” They considered bringing Em, but they wouldn’t exactly call them lovers. And Cherno is... occupied at the moment. “Hard to keep both, I’m afraid. Always seem to be getting new ones to replace the old.” Foxes and hounds, this is sounding awful. “I haven’t killed many plants—or lovers.” Eddox sighs. “Forgive me, I seem to be flustered.”

They take Seyli’s arm again and squeeze it lightly. “Shall we go walk some more, so that my feet have something other to do than fill my mouth? Not that I don’t want to have you to myself, but I should probably speak to the others.” Seyli had said to speak to Sasha, and the grid had helpfully pointed her out, speaking with another woman named Hana.