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“He planned this?”

Jennings winks. “He’s unconventional, but the children love him. Even the ones who bite.”

“That’s a low bar.”

She just shrugs and exits, leaving behind the smell of synthetic vinaigrette and one very full envelope labeled: “Permission Slips – Zoo Excursion.”

I pick it up, thumb running over the seal.

Jav Kuraken planned a field trip.

I drop the envelope like it burns.

I find him at pickup time, kneeling beside Ben, helping him zip up a backpack that appears to be leaking some kind of glitter putty.

He doesn’t look up when I approach, just says, “You’re late.”

“I’m exactly on time.”

“You’re late emotionally.”

I stare at him.

Ben pipes up, grinning. “We made zoo bucks!”

“Zoo bucks?”

“Yeah!” he waves a little paper square. “We’re gonna trade them for extra time with the squigglebeasts!”

Jav stands, dusting his knees. “They’re not real currency. I tried to teach the dangers of inflation by flooding the market. Two kids cried. It was a success.”

“You traumatized children to prove a point?”

He grins. “They’ll thank me when they’re stockbrokers.”

I take a breath, tugging Ben’s backpack higher. “A field trip, really?”

“It’s educational.”

“It’s risky.”

His smile fades. Just a bit. “I ran the numbers. We’ll have a hoverbus, three chaperones, and an armed escort.”

“Armed?”

“Standard protocol.”

“For who?”

“In case the squigglebeasts riot.”

I pinch the bridge of my nose. “You can’t do this.”

“I already did. You can sign the slip, or come along and supervise me.”

I blink. “Excuse me?”

“You don’t trust me. That’s fair. So come along. Make sure I’m not teaching them how to launder zoo bucks.”