Cal thinks.
Cal: Hmm...
Cal raises two fingers, cheerfully.
Cal: TWO cups of chai! And a rather uncomfortable explanation...
Pavel looks worried.
Caption: One rather uncomfortable explanation later...
A teacup with a blue and purple lotus design is filled with a fresh helping of hot chai tea.
Cal: Ah! So we needed three cups!
Cal carries the cup, followed by Katja, into the Mantaluna dining room. A long table is surrounded by high-backed chairs. Five high arched windows are decorated with blue and purple drapes. A chandelier, decorated with hanging ribbons and baubles, glows overhead. Lani sits on a stool across from a very distressed-looking Pavel.
Cal: None too surprising. To see his first Redtider is one thing — to learn of its true nature is a whole other matter indeed.
Lani: No joke. At least we never made friends with the jerk.
Pavel is staring into space, holding his empty teacup.
Pavel: I called him Jeff.
Lani tries to reassure him.
Lani: Well, he laughed, right? Not the worst thing in the world to be on a death god's good side!
Pavel grabs his head in his hands, even more exasperated.
Pavel: I. Called. Him. JEFF.
