The floating interface blinked blue at the edge of Cang's vision. He noted it with the mild satisfaction of a man checking a ledger that was performing satisfactorily.
He looked at the two men.
"Come in," he said. "Sit down."
The instruction had a texture to it that was not quite a command and not quite an invitation. The merchant moved first, taking the chair closest to the door, the instinctive positioning of a man who was measuring the exits. His son followed and sat because standing had begun to feel like a declaration he couldn't back up.
Cang's hands continued their work.
