It was lucky, he was realizing, that he'd had his professor to prepare him as much as he had. Calling himself a Spade wasn't feeling unnatural. Thinking about being ranked--about a world where swords were still taught as a practical life skill--didn't sit oddly in his shoulders.

It would have been more lucky if he had been properly told about the Faces he was going to be meeting in his own Suit. It would stop embarrassing moments like this, nearly losing the bottle of truffle oil in a hurry to bow his head respectfully. Not many bigger differences than between a Two and an Ace, after all.

"Learning, my Lord."