[ It's a quick trip back to his — well Yom Crook called it a bus — to fetch the tools out of the back. It's a bit awkward to manage the weight of the toolbox with just one hand in good condition, but he manages without losing too much dignity. He sets it down a bit heavily before standing to rub at the small of his back.

He's missed most of the conversation, but he can guess where it was going. ] I suppose with only one person to manage all of that, it's inevitable that the quality isn't always peerless. I do hope they haven't cut themselves short with our deal.

[ Smiling, Adrian adds: ] You'll be glad to know we were very discerning, Lady Fern. It was only a few hundred thousand of their joolies.

[ Does Adrian even remember the exact number? Nope. ]