John’s eyes remain on Arlo, watching carefully for signposts that will guide him through this conversation. There’s an uneasy, inconsistent tension in Arlo—John supposes now that he must be the source. What Court had told him about perception comes to the fore now, and he begins to understand, really understand, what she means.

“Ah,” he starts, trying to imbue his tone with the feeling of friendliness, of not being a threat. “Likely she wants to maximize the number of presents Court receives.” John does believe this. “Although mine is not as good as yours.”