Story:

Then Seira said, “You assume I intend to place everything on the strength of one girl.”

“You have placed considerable attention on her.”

“Attention is affordable.”

“So is confidence, until someone else pays for it.”

That earned Frey a sideways glance. The inspector drank again, apparently unmoved.

Seira set her tea down beside her. There was still warmth in the cup, though she had scarcely touched it.

“I have other preparations.”

“I presumed you would say that.”

“Would you prefer an inventory?”

“I would prefer fewer undisclosed variables in a world already approaching a dimensional incident.”

Seira’s smile widened slightly. “Then you have been assigned a most unfortunate posting.”

Frey looked at her over the rim of the cup. The smile did not persuade her. It never had.

For several seconds, they sat without speaking.

Below them, the road lay empty. A fallen leaf turned slowly in the gutter where the taxi had passed.

“What I require from you,” Seira said at last, “is time.”

Frey’s expression remained still.

“Delay their deportation.”

“You make that sound like a minor administrative courtesy.”

“You are exceptionally capable.”

“Flattery does not change my jurisdiction.”

“No. But your discretion exists within it.”

Frey turned the cup between her hands. Her gaze moved toward the steps, where Ai and Mai had lingered before Shiki ushered them back toward their lessons.

“You understand that postponement is not permission.”

“Perfectly.”

“And if their presence worsens the instability, I will act.”

Seira inclined her head.

Frey waited, perhaps expecting an argument, perhaps allowing the warning time to settle.

None came.

She finished the tea. The cup met its saucer with a precise little click.

Frey stood. Light traveled through her wings, washing a pale pattern over the veranda boards. Then she was gone.

Seira sat alone beside the empty cup, still looking toward the road.

A small smirk returned to her lips.