Yseult lifts a finger at this second throat clearing, looking up from the page without raising her head or ceasing to write to smile in a way that is politely warm and understanding, but not apologetic.

"If you need a cup of water, please help yourself," she says, indicating a sideboard with a pitcher atop it by the angle of her head. "This is nearly finished."

Whether Vega gets up or not, she writes what looks like another sentence or two, blots the page, and finally sets it and her pen aside, folding her hands in front of her and fixing her eyes on Vega. "What led you to choose the Scouting Division?"