As Milou draped the cloth over the top of the laundry bin--which was full of various radios, all piled together--the Cynn continued, < If the Assembly refuses to meet, I'll simply present my case for R.I.T. directly to the people instead. Let them hear all the data and letters and studies that the Assembly has been ignoring. >

He thought for a moment, and then mused out loud, < ...It'd be all the easier for me if they did refuse to meet, come to think of it. But I'm sure they'll realize that too. >

Vlad and Milou stared at him in dismay. "Uhh," Vlad said, and flashed the Cynn a pained smile. < Look, I respect your energy here, but maybe don't make them so mad that they realize just stabbing you would make things easier for them? Totally unrelated, > he added, < but can I give you my number in case you need to reach us? >

The Cynn gestured at Sraddi, who was sitting silently on her perch. He seemed unmoved by Vlad's words. < Show your phone to Sraddi, she'll know what to do, > he said indifferently. < And rest assured, there are already Assembly members who would stab me, if they thought they could get away with it. So it's the phrase, ehm, you know-- > He smiled a smile that did not reach anywhere near his eyes and only served to show his sharp teeth, making a frame with his thumbs and forefingers. "'That ship has sailed,'" he said.

Vlad had held out his cell phone to Sraddi. She bent over it for just a moment, her long golden feathery antennae brushing the surface of the buttons and screen. A few small blots of greenish light gathered around the places where her antennae met the surface of the phone, and she said something quietly, but that was it. Vlad withdrew his phone and closed it with a snap, exchanging a grimace with Milou.

< Great, > he said, < just great. >