speakeasy

Miles wasn’t surprised to be summoned to the Provost’s office, not with rumors of the University hosting the Coven’s talks with the Djinni Court. There would probably be a full meeting of the Deans by the end of the month, but Sammy was never one to jump into things cold. So, he went, after his morning class, to Sammy’s office, wearing his normal uniform of slacks and dress shirt. The sleeves were rolled up, and he hadn’t bothered to put the jacket on, what with the warm weather.
So, when he found Kyren, wearing the Djinni Queen’s colors, following Sammy out of her office, and laughing about something, he had to restrain himself from going for his wolf. Instead, he ignored Sammy’s gesture for him to be quiet, and instead pasted his most icily polite face on as Kyren paused as he came into the room. Ky was wearing a polite expression as well, that seemed deeply out of place on a man Miles remembered as disdaining tact as inefficient.
Sammy stepped forward, presumably to introduce them, but Ky bowed first.
Miles felt pettily vindicated, as it was the bow of a social inferior to a superior. He bowed back, and said, formally, “Master Ayo Caras.”
“Lord Andronikos, now, I’m afraid, Dean.” Ky said, sunnily.
“My apologies, Lord Andronikos. Autumn’s felicitations upon your gain.” Miles said stiffly, containing his outrage. What had Ky *done*, sworn an apprentice-bond to that bitch?
“No offense taken, I assure you.”
Sammy sighed, and said rudely, “Interesting as this display is, gentlemen, I need to speak with Miles. It’s been a pleasure, Kyren, and I look forward to hearing more from you and the Coven.”
Miles bowed to Ky, and ignored how much it hurt to think of him sworn to Eudoxia. He even more firmly ignored the whine of his wolf, confused and hurt.

Once Sammy and Miles were alone, Sammy turned to him with a disgruntled expression.
“Miles, what the hell was that? You know my feelings on the old manners.”
Miles shrugged. Normally, he didn’t need the crutch of formality to placate his wolf, but *damn*, it hurt to see Ky.
“Long story.” He said, with a shrug. “Old story. Knew each other during the war.”
“Ah,” Sammy contented herself with, but eyed him curiously. “Anyway, I needed to talk to you about some arrangements…”