Raizen tore a strip from the bottom of his shirt - the hem was already damaged from wrapping the lotuses earlier - and tied it around the lower half of his face. It wasn't elegant. It just covered his nose and mouth, leaving only his eyes exposed.
Saffi watched him tie the knot without comment. Her expression said everything her mouth didn't - the raised eyebrow, the slight tilt of her head, the look of someone who had expected a more sophisticated approach and was choosing to be supportive about the reality.
"It's fine," Raizen said, muffled by the fabric.
"I didn't say anything."
"You were thinking it."
"I'm always thinking things. That's not new information."
From the branch, the view of the compound was comprehensive. The hall's glassy curved roof spread below them, its surface reflecting the cloud glow. The aircraft platform extended from the northern side. And there-
Four guards.
