"It's all right. Mm."
Topaz replied to the voice in her earpiece:
"Do as they ask. Try to avoid any conflict with The Family..."
"Report to me before taking any action."
"Mm... Mm, all right."
Topaz sighed, then smiled at the Express Crew before her.
"As you can see, the company isn't exactly welcome on Penacony."
"The Family's hospitality is only skin-deep. This place used to be the Outer Rim Prison, and now they're turning around and putting company employees in shackles."
"Only Aventurine, with his invitation, is allowed to attend the festivities. The rest of us who came with him... we're not even allowed into the dream. We have to stay in the Reality Hotel."
Himeko nodded.
"No wonder Aventurine has been looking everywhere for people to work with. He can't get any help from the company inside the dream."
Topaz looked helpless herself.
"Right. I hear things aren't going too well for him. You're helping investigate something... damaging to The Family, aren't you?"
"If you need anything outside the dream, just let me know. The company has never shortchanged its partners."
"Thank you, Miss Topaz," Himeko said with a faint smile.
"We were about to ask the Hounds about the case. Perhaps you've already dealt with them?"
"Of course."
Topaz glanced at the group not far behind her.
"There. They're following me. Go ask them."
"You'll help take their eyes off me, too. Being watched all the time is exhausting."
Himeko nodded slightly and went alone to speak with the Hounds.
Topaz turned to Yan Huan, who had stayed behind, and smiled.
"How was talking to Aventurine? He should have been quite sincere with you."
"That's just his style. He pushes around anyone he can and backs down before anyone he can't. He knows how to act depending