[Remember that message you put out, about the importance of Navy formalisms, ranking, and disguises? Remember how Codi didn't internalize any of that?]

[She is absolutely flying by the seat of her pants right now and she has no regrets. Not that it matters, she figures--being fickle is just as good a lie as any well-researched disguise and title to match. A giggle smuggled in every once in a while doesn't hurt, either. One of them escapes presently.]

Please humor me, sir--I lost a bet. [She smiles and shrugs in mock hopelessness. It's worked before!] I have to play the part of the masquerade more formally. But I take it you've had finer fortune than me; may I ask who I am sharing this evening with?