“Really? I guess I just remember the sharks because they looked so out of place.”

“Correct. Now, tell me, Carlyle, if you have your parents’ brains: Why are there so many Cousins involved in these recent riots?”

“Are you saying…” Carlyle blinked. “Are you saying… there aren’t actually very many Cousins rioting? It just seems like there are because everyone notices Cousins more because Cousins look so wrong rioting?”

Faust knows when there is no need for ‘yes.’

“Then who is rioting?” Carlyle’s voice gained momentum. “And who’s destroying the set-set bash’es if… if not…”

The Headmaster’s eyes twinkled like liquid chocolate. “Cousins’ wraps are slow to change out of. Not like taking off a jacket.”

“A jacket,” Carlyle repeated. “The photos. Lots of Cousins. The Masons and Mitsubishi are taking their jackets off before the riots, aren’t they? And Brillist sweaters… and feet are hard to see, so no one spots Humanist boots.” Intensity flickered in Carlyle for a few seconds before she slumped back. “Hmm. Funny.”

Faust waited. “That’s all I get? I give you the key to exonerate your Hive and all I get is ‘Hmm, funny’? You are far gone.”

The king intruded. “Does Bryar know this? Does Romanova?”

“Don’t spoil it!” The Headmaster spun on Isabel Carlos II, his face almost a snarl. “That was for Carlyle to ask! And as it happens, I don’t think Bryar does know. Now, I’m sure the raw numbers are somewhere, the new Censor will have them, and Heloïse, but they’ll all still be distracted by how desperately they wish Cousins weren’t there. Oh, if only some enterprising young Cousin who knew Bryar Kosala and Heloïse personally might bring this to their attention!”

Softly, “I’m not a Cousin anymore.”

“Codswallop!”

Silence.

“You really are the most far gone thing, aren’t you?” The Headmaster peered hard at the face, which did not peer back. “Dominic is very talented.” He sucked a deep breath through his teeth. “Tricky, tricky.”

The door relented now, and a young aide peered around the corner. “Headmaster?”

“Time flies.” Faust stretched. “Well, if Dominic’s had you for several weeks, I don’t suppose I should expect to fix you in five minutes.” A frown. “You didn’t even ask to join us in there, did you? You know that’s probably why Donatien brought you here, so you could see it too.”

Still silence.