"We're obligated to, I'm afraid," Helmine tells Astra without missing a beat, her tone aiming for solemn but falling far short given how close she sounds to laughter, "To maintain the integrity of the game!"

When Cze speaks up -- interrupts! -- she turns to look at him with uplifted eyebrows. The movement leaves her long, sparkling earrings swinging. "Are we wrong, though?"