“Right.” The answer doesn’t entirely surprise Pal, but it’s still a bit disappointing. He supposes that a Ninth House cavalier is not the best person to ask about how to broach the subject of one’s traumatic past with one’s girlfriend. From what he has seen, the Ninth are quite happy to keep trauma locked away.

If he’s honest with himself, the Sixth aren’t much better.

He orders a Hefeweizen—a word he delights in saying—and uses the waitress’ interruption as an excuse to change the subject away from his romantic life. “Did you know that most types of beer were invented by monks? It’s literally religious.”