For his part, Vrenille has been nothing but polite to the server every time she comes by. He treats her like he'd treat anyone, all the thank yous and the smiles, and there's a distinct lack of sexual interest in any of it. He's not even close to flirting, even if his social position might appear to invite or authorize it.

He takes his tea with a little milk and sugar, and now that they're sitting here and everything's calm and unhurried, he takes the chance to watch Ed's micro-expressions.

"Y'know I'm actually not worried for you on that front," he says setting his cup down after a first sip of tea. "Something tells me you'll manage the contract bit just fine.

"I meant the quota. If you're not planning to meet it in your contract--and most people don't just--then you're gonna have to do it some other way. Three times a month. LIES always seems to find out when folks fall short."

He's very casual talking about this. Might as well be talking about the weather.