Valdana takes a very deep breath and visibly composes herself, looking once again between the two of them. Devero sticks his cigarette between his lips and raises a hand to grip Koumyou's shoulder.

A hand? His left hand. His engagement band catches the light and her eye.

"The two of you had better explain to me what's going on here," she says with careful deliberation-- and control-- of her words. "Right. Now."

"You don't need to know," Devero says, though he has to swallow to be able to get the words out. "Just-- leave, Administrator, please. For your own good."