Compared to mercenaries who actually extruded their stomach onto their plate, dissolved everything organic, and then horked it all back down, Howard's eating is a masterwork of delicacy and grace.

Also, Anwei can be pretty sloppy herself. She sticks with just the fruit for now, though.

"Well, the Daligig or the Tapestry or whatever did a good job of cleaning up after themselves. There's new legends, about a ship full of heroes and villains, but nothing concrete. No proof that there ever were Ohm, or Stacy.."

Her mouth tightened; she'd tried to find Stacy, to no avail. After all that had been done to her, body and mind and soul, she of all people deserved a safe haven and rest. But there was no trace.

"Aside from that, things are pretty normal here. The Empire continues to fester, we continue to work around the edges, helping out, cauterizing where we can. Horanckk predicts that we might be able to make a grand attack and shove the whole thing over in seven years or so. Speaking of Horanckk..."

A string of what looked like golden marbles was rolling down the tables, snaking along under its own power. She picked up the first marble and tossed it absently; the rest formed a little circle, seeming to peer like gleaming eyes at everything around them.

"Howard, would you like a friend?"