"This wine is very strong," Karla said. "Though if we mix it with a little water, it shouldn't be too bad. It's how I first started drinking wine, and how I drink it with dinner. It would be horrifically embarrassing to get drunk at a dinner party, wouldn't it?" Not to mention dreadfully dangerous, at least, back at Karla's familial estate.

But that wasn't important now. Tahiri, and whatever her problem was, that was important. Karla probed gently. Yes, the second psychic scent was still there. It felt...quiescent, almost. But definitely waiting.

Karla called in two glasses and enough water for both of them. Her Jewel would burn off the alcohol quickly even without the water, but Karla wanted to be in perfect form. Water it was.