[ oh. she might've contained herself up until the point she was given a direct order. upon such a moment, her palms began to itch and the steel grew so seductive.

whitby clasps her hands behind her back. ]

But I didn't -- [ the bluff is worth a try ] -- just land 'ere today, I mean. But bloody hell, have you seen how many have? Bedlam. It's bedlam.

[ gossip and commiseration. the first two tactics in any casual attempt to insert oneself into another's good graces. ]