"It would," Horatio says almost immediately, in response to Ryou's question. "You're my friends, and more than that, you're citizens of this peninsula. Until someone with something approaching more authority than me tells me you shouldn't be allowed in a business I manage? It's my call. And you're not a threat to the casino. I know that. So, yeah. Telling you not to come around when I know you don't intend to walk in and start your own all-you-can-eat buffet? Bullshit."

He's very matter-of-fact about it, no anger or reproach in his tone. He's done a good amount of thinking about this, clearly. When Ryou offers him that glass of wine, he holds it up to both of them in a silent toast to their friendship and the personal sacrifice to their reputation, then takes a sip before continuing.

"I had a talk with Noa, a little while ago, about what it takes to become more involved as a Fog follower. What constitutes an offering worthy of a higher tier. And I came to realize something: if I'm going to continue on in both of the positions I've taken, I have to stay where I'm at."