“Curiouser and curiouser,” murmurs Palamedes, who had never read Alice in Wonderland and wouldn’t recognize the names Lewis Carroll or Walt Disney if you asked him. Some bits of culture just stick, even as their origins fade from view.

He watches the emotions shift on Jade’s face—shift, and then pointedly disappear. Pal has no idea if the doll is merely a sentimental reminder of something in the past, or if it poses some kind of danger. Either way, it’s obviously important.

It’s only because he trusts Jade that he doesn’t ask more questions—yet. Instead, he sets the doll back in the box and goes to fetch a pen from his desk, as requested, and then passes it to Jade without a word.