The center room was wreathed in a faint veil of smoke, with cats laying around on carpet, blankets, and pillows.

" Ulgir, do you want to come to the dance hall w-"

Prima froze in the doorframe.

Nova was seated in the vanity chair, Ulgir behind him, neatly trimming his hair.

It had grown so long, and been blond for so long, that Prima had started to think he would just leave it like that forever.

" Ah, I'm busy," she said. " Lyena said he wouldn't let anyone cut his hair, but I wore him down about it. Redlin's taking him for a tour of the city tomorrow, and a meeting with Noahl's expatriate goodwill agency."

Nova was staring straight ahead into the mirror.

" Are you good, man?" Prima asked, noting his absent gaze.

" I'm fine," Nova responded stiffly. " I stayed up late last night since I had many things to discuss with our brother."

Prima was skeptical of this, but if he was gonna freeze him out, there wasn't much he could do about it. Nova had proved himself to be a less than forthcoming person. Especially with emotional matters.

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