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Fish from Halos always sounds like a good idea, no matter whether it’s been ten minutes or all day since you last ate.

“I’ll buy,” Tarquin says.

Ashur chuckles. “You’re very good at buying when it’s Halos,” he says. You don’t understand the joke at first, but when Tarquin heads over to the stall and collects the fish skewers without a single coin changing hands, it clicks.

Returning to you with the fish, Tarquin leans casually against a sturdy bollard and looks out over the harbor. You copy his movements, resting your elbow against a bollard of your own, but yours is slippery (hopefully just sea slime, but knowing your luck, it’s thanks to the pigeons) and you nearly smack your face into the post. Smooth.

To be honest, you’re relieved when Ashur says it’s time to check back in with Elek.

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