"Left of the traffic lane, not center. We don't force anyone to step around and create gossip."
"Agreed." He lifted a finger. "And when we set it down, no clink. The sound should be cloth, not coin."
"Two body-lengths back," she repeated, eyes still on the mirror-token. "Do we kneel?"
"Half-crouch only," he said. "Knees high, back ready to move. We are guests, not supplicants."
She made a small sound. "Good."
He turned to Rodion. "Expected behavior?"
Rodion expanded a sidebar full of little icons that blinked in calm rhythm.
"And rejection?" Thalatha said.
