Diya doesn't have much sympathy for either of them right now. Certainly not Lapis, who'd drunk herself into an embarrassing state and then proceeded to embarrass herself even further. But Lapis had agreed to consult, and Diya isn't going to delay this interrogation because of a hangover.

The haut's face is mostly impassive, even as she watches surprise pass over Pearl's face and then give way to wariness.

"I don't intend to waste time trying to pry answers out of the unwilling," she says, and gestures smoothly at the case on the table next to her. One of the soldiers picks up an ampule and wets a small, thumbtack-like prick with the solution. "Fast-penta is a very effective drug. It lowers inhibition, heightens free association, and induces a mild euphoria that's rather relaxing, or so I'm told. Hold out your arm, please."

So that the soldier can prick it for an allergy test. Say what you will about Cetagandans, but they do always check for fast-penta allergies first.