“All right," she snaps at the computer. "I get it. I'm slowing down! Gods!""Activating Generic Ocular Display Sequence. G.O.D.S."The front of her shuttle goes transparent and Vol experiences a nauseating wave of vertigo."No, that's not what I meant! It's an expression! What the hell?""Error. Request must be made in the form of a command.""Oh, f*** you.""Error. Command not recognised.""I'm not surprised," Vol mutters.”

“Do you ever get tired of being such a witch?" Vol asks, holding open the door."Oh, no. Never." She smiles. "You have to admit, it's so much more interesting than being nice.”

“I'm not asking you to come-""Thanks." Vol studies herself in the cracked mirror and secures the braid with the tie."I'm telling you to come." Kira's mouth hardens. "This is not optional.”

“Vol picks up the cup of tea in both hands and takes a long sip. Mm, grass-clippings. Her favourite.”

“Briar Rose awakens to grace us with her gentle presence once more.""Shut up," says Vol."Your thorns are showing.”

“You're screwed, scum, and not in the way you'd like, either. Irony's a bitch, isn't it?""You wouldn't say that if you knew who I am."Vol's bounty hunter laughs. "Trust me, I've seen an asshole before. Drop the sword now.”

“You're going to the ball?""Aren't you? I was led to believe we had no choice in the matter."Vol cracks a wry smile. "Ah. You've met Kira, then.""If that self-congratulatory guinea pig in my doorway this morning was Kira, then yes. We're acquainted.”