This patch of fog was highly eye-catching. Many people in the venue were watching and discussing it, yet no one seemed to have figured it out. After a moment, Koni shifted his gaze back, following the low buzz of conversation as he surveyed the outer edges of the venue. He confirmed that the number of Transcendental Species attending today was certain to break a record.
Some of them were unfamiliar even to him, clearly having never attended such an occasion before.
Koni instinctively swept his eyes around the room and quickly found Yates.
Their gazes met. Yates grinned and actually came over, still treating him like an old friend.
"You really did go with the traditional route... but you don't look any different."
"Want to compare properly later?"
Koni bared his teeth in a grin as well, replying as though there were no hard feelings between them.
He had to put on a smiling face.
His own situation was difficult enough already. There was no need to offend an "old friend" like Yates over a few suspicions.
Of course, Yates had most likely considered that as well.
No matter what they thought inwardly, the two still gathered together, observing and analyzing the venue as they exchanged information about unfamiliar attendees.
Yates had come less often, so he had more questions.
"Who's that Black guy?"
"Ronnie. You've seen him before. They say he's one of Black Lion's 'brothers.'"
"Really? Why does he feel different again?"
"It's normal for him to change. He probably didn't get here through the normal route."
"One of Old Els's projects?"
"Probably... Look, Kiran!"
"Hiss, he's here too? Square 8 has never attended a meeting before, has he?"
"There's still a global warrant out for him. Even if he wanted to come, the General Assembly wouldn't notify