The AAR recognition and . . . rejoicing in Fictionville

Most excellent reader Valerie G writes to tell me she sees the celebration this way:

Congratulations on the AAR reader's poll recognition of The Black Hawk, Adrian and Justine!  Richly deserved!

In their universe, I imagine there's rejoicing all round.

There will be a celebration to honor Justine and Adrian at Doyle's place in the country, with presents for the happy couple.  Doyle, Grey, Sebastian and Pax chip in on a pair of matched knives, perfectly balanced for throwing, of course. (Later in the evening, Adrian tests them against the mantelpiece.). Ladislaus gives them a set of fake identity papers, because - well, you can never have too many sets of fake identity papers.

Annique, Jess, and Camille present a silver tea service that Maggie picked out. Severine thinks about baking something, but Maggie talks her out of it.  Carruthers sends a cactus.  Felicity scowls, so they know she's genuinely pleased.

The party goes on late into the night (or early into the morning, depending on how you look at it) with equal parts champagne and shared stories of the Game...