There was a seating arrangement on the court. Chairs had paper banners draped over the backs with school colors and mascots. Finding a short line of orange chairs didn't take a lot of looking. Spotting the Ravens was easier. The two teams were seated across from each other at the same table.

"Motherfucker," Dan said, low but with enough heat Neil had no problems picking up on it. He had to give her props, though. Dan didn't even slow on her way over to the table.

"Oh, how cliché," Andrew said, sounding almost delighted by this turn of events. "Maybe this will be fun after all. Come on, Kevin. Let's not keep them waiting."

All the blood had left Kevin's face, but he followed close behind Andrew.

Judging by Neil's quick headcount, the Ravens hadn't brought dates. They hadn't brought any color along, either. All twenty-two of them were dressed head-to-toe in black. The twenty men wore the same shirts and slacks, and the two women wore identical dresses. They even sat the exact same way, all with their right elbows on the table, all of them with their chins in their hands. Another team might look foolish going so far, but somehow the Ravens looked imposing.

"Riko," Dan said, pulling out the chair directly opposite him. "Dan Wilds."

Riko offered her his hand in the most condescending handshake Neil had ever seen. He kept his arm straight and his wrist loose, like a lord expecting a subject's kiss upon his knuckles. Neil hoped Dan would ignore it, but she slipped her hand into his and squeezed. Riko smiled when she let go.

"I know who you are," Riko said. "Who here doesn't? You're the woman who captains a Class I team. You've done admittedly well despite your disadvantages."

"What disadvantages?"

"Do you really want me to start listing them?" Riko asked. "This is only a two-day event, Hennessey."

Neil didn't understand, but Matt did, judging by his fierce, "Careful, Riko."

Dan touched Matt's arm to calm him down and pulled out her seat. The upperclassmen sat to one side of her, with Allison neatly tucked between Renee and Matt. Andrew's group stretched out to her right in the same order they'd been in on the bus. Neil was closer to Riko than he wanted to be, but having a couple bodies between them was a little comforting.

Unfortunately, Riko wasn't the only problem. The man to Riko's right stood up as soon as the Foxes were settled and walked behind the Ravens until he was across from Neil. Two fingers to the woman's shoulder got her out of her chair and she moved to the newly-emptied seat. The stranger sat across from Neil. As he did the Ravens fell out of their frozen poses, but they did so only to lean back as one in their chairs. The only one still sitting straight was Riko, and Neil's new dinner companion was leaning forward as he considered Neil.