There was no flinch, but there was a rather telling freeze of his expression.

Well. How incredibly unpleasant.

“Well met, Mr. Redback. Now, I am sure you are quite a pleasant fellow, and a hip cat to boot, but I must say that standing next to you is rather like standing in a pool of pudding. So, if you will excuse me.” Ilario inclined his head sharply, then briskly moved away to shake the hand of the other, more-disheveled-looking man that was with them.

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