“f**k, by the time I clean up, the meal will be over.”
“Why are you so worried about missing dinner?” asked Peaches, throwing his head back in the Furgato equivalent of head scratching.
“I’m hungry, and the bell rang half an hour ago.”
“That was the bell for preparation, for dining-hall servers to gather. The serving gong won’t ring for another quarter of an hour, and the assembly takes twenty minutes after that, if it’s normal, for it hasn’t been lately with the construction and all, and they can’t start until you’re there anyway.”
“Why not?”
“Tradition.”
“Where can I… never mind, I know that.” Jade took her duffel and case and started to stride across the drum floor.
“Wait, Jade Darcy.”
“What now?”
“Let me show you how to enter the right way.” Peaches turned and walked in the op
