"It's not, but I like the metaphor," Pepper admits of Yunxu's mansion. Leader of the Snakes = King Cobra and so on.

She takes the space of a breath to steel herself before stepping into China's apartment. Going inside was perhaps just as problematic as staying on her doorstep, but the potential length of the conversation didn't lend itself to door frames and welcome mats.

"Thanks." No sense in not being polite. "Any more news on those cultists you outed?"