Endymion seemed a little out of it and Desi had to wonder if he hadn't taken a little something. Not that it mattered much to Desi if he had or not. Who among their circle didn't slip a little opium or something into their tea every now and then?

"Doing what one usually does at these things. Flirt, gossip, dance," Desi said. "Were you in the greeting line for the debuting young lady or did you get here after it was done with?" Some had arrived after the customs a private debut tended to have had been observed.