Vax had been wondering when they'd get to this. He'd thought maybe Percy would be upset enough to screw his manners, or try the public sideways snubs that were the nobility's way of talking trash. Percy was very good at it, and usually, Vax thought it was hilariously clever.

But then, it usually wasn't aimed directly at the woman he'd brought to dinner.

At the tap, Vax leaned back in his own seat, so that the two of them could look at one another quite literally behind Vex's back. He smiled, but it looked rueful more than anything. "Thanks for putting this on, Percival," he offered. "And for the plus-one."