09/22/2025 Snippet, IRONGHOSTS.

It really doesn’t.

Identifying the speaker was surprisingly difficult, even with their glasses. The two could see the outline of a man, only carefully keeping out of the wan light, and with peculiarities about his person.

“You’re keeping yourself to the shadows… mister,” Oxman said after a moment. “There a good reason for that?”

“I cal… I thought you might attack me on sight, before I could speak. This would be in no-one’s interests. I mean you no harm. Can you assure me that you will not strike first?”

Oxman took his hand off his hilt. “Sure. I’ll swear to it. I won’t take the first swing.”

“Neither will I,” Nat added. “But I’m keeping my hands where they are. Nothing personal, you understand.”

“I do not take things personally,” the half-hidden voice. “Even when it would be appropriate.”

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