"Annoyed and quarrelsome" isn't the mood you want your audience in when the production starts.
You're about to venture into the crowd when Matty appears at your side and grasps you by the arm. Her grip is like iron. "Over there," she says from between gritted teeth. "That's the Raven."
"The Raven is here, now?" You fight to keep your voice from rising to a squeak.
"The whole royal family is here, now, and everything's gone to hell," Matty growls, motioning at the spilled cashbox and the young usher boys trying to retrieve the night's take from all over the foyer before opportunistic audience members pocket too many coins. "Greet them, seat them, and be on your best behavior, or I'll skin you."
You can't waste words reminding Matty that you're not a child yourself. Instead you glide over to greet the city's ruler and his heirs as if you do this every day.
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