Brother dear did not seem excited, but he hadn't to begin with. So Albedo took the words, rather than the lack, and released Nigredo, stepping backwards to put his hands up behind his head. He gave a smile, then looked out over the field. Unlike the courtyard, there were no benches on which to place themselves, but there were still.... Albedo tilted his head back at Nigredo, then set off, walking until they stopped at one of the goal nets. Nigredo trod to a nurse, murmuring something, and Albedo leaned back against one of the posts, waiting. The woman vanished and returned, handing something over, then Nigredo came back over. Albedo reached out and tugged Nigredo against the concurrent side of the pole, then leaned his head back against the metal.

"All right, darling dear," he said simply. "Now tell me about this journal you've been hinting at for days."