"Much of the Deck is a bit of a train wreck," Elisha said. He included himself there, but honestly - the Deck seems mostly composed of messed up types that ought to be seeking some kind of therapy. There are a few exceptions, but most of those active in the politics of the Deck have mess written all over them.

Hadyn Novak was one of those. He didn't know the Spade well - there was no reason to - but there was plenty of reason to be aware of his brother, the Jack, and his mother, one of the more lethal Tens. He'd taken care over the years to seem harmless and beneath her notice, but his former association with Sieben hadn't helped there. Being friends with Victor didn't, either; most people assumed that Elisha was far more than just a glass artist and a competent administrator. They weren't wrong, but he'd just rather they take him more at face value. It made certain aspects of his job easier.

Still, he shrugged, sipping his whiskey. "There are worse roles to embrace," he said before giving Hadyn a bit of a knowing look and an amused smile. "I'm a little old for heartbreak these days," he said. "It happens a few times, and then your heart develops enough scar tissue to make it a little unlikely, you know?"