"It wasn't a lie." Not really. Paddy couldn't imagine, didn't want to imagine, and didn't have to try very hard not to, thankfully. Dexter Vex was the one who didn't seem to have any trouble.

Saffron Sweetgrass was scared. Not as badly as Solomon had been, but she knew what the consequences of defying such powerful people were. "Hello," came Paddy's simple reply to her greeting, along with an encouraging smile. 'Former' associate. He had, unfortunately, seen that coming, even before meeting her. He'd wondered before if Solomon might start something within the Temple without even trying. On the bright side, however, his predicting it meant he already had a few ideas about how to keep her safe. "Has there been trouble already?"

"Steadfast?" Sean asked. "That's not your name."

"Actually, it is, as of about a week ago. You're right, Solomon, this is my nephew, Sean. Sean, this is Solomon Wreath."

"What, is there some special club for weird names?" Sean said with a laugh, even as he nodded politely towards Solomon. He said what he thought, but at least he was polite while doing so.

"In a way, yes, there is. Sean, remember what we discussed outside?"

"What we - oh." Sean's mouth snapped shut, and he looked down at the ground. "Sorry."