< What an absolute idiot I am, > Numair muttered, holding his head, eyes burning. < The look on his face... >

< Mari, I... > Helly blurted out, < Look, I think you've got a bigger problem right now! I mean, na dhya! What are you going to do?? >

Numair looked at nem over the rim of his teacup. As Helly spoke, his expression slowly faded from guilt and distress into nothing at all. He sighed, and tilted his head back against the wall behind the sofa.

< ....I should contact the other coalition members with the news of R.I.T.'s passage, > he began. Helly spoke up to interrupt him, but he ignored it and continued, < Set up a summit to ratify the charter. Begin hiring administrators. Set deadlines for visa holders. Discuss plans with Enodia to phase the Order out of service. >

< Mari, > Helly said firmly, craning nir neck to look down into Numair's face. < You know what I mean. >

< Of course, > Numair replied flatly. < This is it. > He turned his face away from Helly and added, < ...I suppose it's for the best that Hawk wants nothing to do with me now. There's so much that needs to be done, and only borrowed time on which to do it. >