---
Sera looked at him. "Do not thank me like I saved you. I only pushed the door open. You are the one walking through."
John nodded slowly. "I will not waste it."
Sera's gaze softened. "I know."
Fizz cleared his throat dramatically. "Lady Sera has earned many snack points. She is now a favored ally of Lord Fizz."
Sera smiled. "Then I will continue earning them when I can."
Fizz's fan club students looked like they wanted to applaud but feared it would be inappropriate to clap in a shop.
Gael cleared his throat gently, returning the room to business. "John," he said, "do you have any backers."
John's eyes flicked toward Sera, then away. He kept his voice calm. "Yes. We do not have to worry. When the papers are done, I will inform you."
Gael studied him. He did not push. He simply nodded, accepting that some supports are safer when hidden.
Kel said, "And the guns."
