Goro snorts quietly. "If the reports I heard of that exchange were accurate, I'm almost surprised they haven't killed each other long ago." But he still doesn't believe Ren is a murderer by choice. Even less so, after seeing Shido's words spread across the Palace floors, tripping from his own feet.

He takes up the carafe, pouring gently, expertly, one-handed. The patter of the coffee into the cup is soothing, like running water, or rain falling; its fragrance is startling, tropical, almost like night-blooming flowers.