"Reed‑Choir Torsion," Mikhailis said, keeping his voice at sleeve level. "Let's do homework."
Round One began without drama. The Hypnoveil pushed a Dull Curtain—not heavy, just enough to make edges forget they are interesting. The Archivist cleared the pillar with a soft brush, revealing the lattice. The Necrolord stepped in with crown‑light dim and laid Pin‑1 in one exact breath. The Crymber pair took turns: a quick heat‑kiss on the seam, then a careful frost‑kiss. Workers pressed calcium sap like smoothing a blanket.
Round Two. A first cone snapped from a bell crown—low and mean. The Reliquary Sentinel raised the coffin‑door and ate it. A warm hum ran under the lid. He turned his wrist and side‑vented into the dead pocket Rodion had stamped earlier. The Hound scrawled ugly S‑curves along the aisle, starving the Echo of anything tidy to love.
