Dahlia requested a formal audience with the ranking council two days later, framed as a courtesy visit from Vellhorn's extended family, a chance, she claimed in her formal request, to share useful context about her stepsister's history for the club's general benefit. I agreed to it mostly out of curiosity about what exactly she intended to accomplish with it, and partly because refusing would have looked, to anyone watching, like I had something to hide rather than simply the confidence to let her attempt fail on its own.
I only wish to share some context, she said, sweet and reasonable in front of the assembled members, her posture carefully composed, her voice pitched to sound helpful rather than hostile, about my stepsister's history, for the sake of this club's ongoing safety. Bri was
