The Warden rocked sideways. He did not fall because the wall caught him. He touched the back of his head and looked at his fingers like they had betrayed him.
Obi stepped into the yellow wash of the broken street light like he had taken a cue. Taller. Broader at the shoulders. The same grin a fraction wiser, which meant a fraction more dangerous. He wore the city like a jacket, collar up, brass knuckle bright (The other one, that he decided not to throw, for now) where they clenched his right hand.
"Didn't your mom teach you to knock?" Obi asked, "before you ruin someone's evening?"
The woman stared. The Warden blinked, then remembered he was supposed to be offended. He swung. Obi ducked with a kind of courtesy. His elbow caught the Warden's ribs. A baton hit air and learned humility.
Feris did not smile, but something in her posture uncoiled. Raizen felt a laugh he did not have time to let out.
