[Little Ribbon with her bead dark eyes returns the look. Blep, goes her dark tongue, critically tasting the air in time to the clattering of the drawer's contents and Wysteria's arch reply that—]

Yes, yes. That would be perfectly acceptable— Ah.

[With a last thump, she unearths a slim booklet. The door is slammed shut behind it.]

Here you are, de Foncé. Evidence of my incoherence. Mind that the first half has nothing at all to do with the caverns. You will want to start— here. The rest is all Rifter nonsense.

[With her finger marking the proper place and her other hand still fisted in the shawl, she scuttles close to present the booklet to him. She twitches her small finger toward the snake.]

I will take her back now, if you please.