at less than extortionate prices
"What's this I'm hearing about Ouroboros being your personal assistants, now? I didn't think your House reach extended that far."
"Don't tell me you're surprised? As both a Lapidarist Extraordinaire and a proven tactical genius, I think I can take a point or two for positive public relations with the City's finest new acquisitions of youth and opportunity, if said opportunity does present itself."
"Don't talk tactics to me, Mash." (The use of diminutive didn't go unnoticed - by at least one of the ladies present, anyway.)
And thus came Masha's coy reply: "Love and war, Monnie Dearest. Love and war..."