The people in the courtyard below were hugging and holding each other in the lengthening shadows. One of them was a unicorn who passed between the others, their white form as dim as anything else in the dusk. Hawk watched this, leaning heavily against the side of the window.

"...So..." Vlad began presently, "Do you wanna talk about any of the other wild stuff that happened today? Like who Aries is, or what you are, or Mari--"

"No, actually," Hawk interrupted. "I don't. I just got here, Vlad, I cain't deal with any of that shit right now. In fact, I'd prefer not to think about any a' that stuff ever again, if I can avoid it."

Vlad looked unimpressed. "Well, that's certainly an approach, I guess," he said. "Is that really how you feel though? I mean, about Mari, specifically."

Hawk's frown deepened a little, and he took his time answering. When he did, though, all he said was, "I said I don't wanna talk about it."

"Suit yourself." Vlad got up with a shrug. "I'm not gonna make excuses for him. But for what it's worth, I really don't think he was trying to hurt you, hon."

"Vlad," Hawk said warningly.

"I'm serious!" Vlad insisted. "I mean, he is sponsoring your visa. You know that means he's legally answerable for you 'til you're a citizen, right? Hell of a position for the Cynn to be in."