Money's never an issue. [ and whatever's left is going straight to his family once he passes. ] I'll let you know if I decide to go with the idea, but for now I'll stick to wondering about his secret like the old man I am.

[ august knows he was rather handsome in his youth — how vain he can be thanks to the poison that is fame. both combined is what lures him to drinking legentifax daily while accompanied by exercise and, a not-quite-beloved companion throughout his twenty years: any bottled alcohol he takes out of his wine cellar.

a hum leaves his throat. ]

I will, however, pay you for a copy of my son's report analysis.

[ because he wants to know how he's doing, and what he's done to catch their eyes. what august couldn't witness and say "I'm proud of you, son" if it didn't result in the kind of blood sport that lured him in the first place. ]