“The mundanes have always feared and despised our fellows,” explains Apricorn the kleptomancer. “Even those who had, by dint of literally weeks of labor, become wealthy and upstanding citizens–”

“By dint of kleptomancy, you mean,” says Guro.

“Which takes labor,” Apricorn insists. “The point being that we built–”

“By dint of–”

“–New Katachrol to be a like-minded place, a safe haven, a refuge. Unfortunately, certain building projects that have gone over budget, and–”

“You’re applying for the grant?” Guro blinks. “Can’t you just, er, obtain the prize?”

“Oh, I did,” says Apricorn, “but it appears to have gone missing somehow.”