Snuggle. "Tapa kills kids born without a credit. Peka was leasing one - unexpected pregnancy - and behind on payments, so she joined the army. Telkam heard this and decided Peka and Katin - our oldest, she's over there -" He gestures. Katin is playing with her baby cousins. "- anyway he decided they should just run away to Anitam and we could make Aitim fudge the papers."

"...wow. Congratulations."

"I can't imagine life without her."

"I love youuuu."

He's watching Maurabel thoughtfully. When Aitim glares at him he stops.

Maurabel doesn't notice. "I'm glad you made it."

And after dinner she goes home - she has moved out of the hotel and has an apartment with Penumbra and Ice in a green neighborhood near the school instead - and goes back to churning out artifacts and artifact development research and prepping for the next day of class.