Nyx arrived before me.
She stood beside the registrar's desk, far enough from the entrance that no one had to pass close to her. Her book was gone. A small bag hung from one shoulder, and the repaired loop on her coat held properly.
I noticed the bag before she noticed my folder. Or before she let me see her notice it.
The clock above the inner door showed a few minutes before the ninth hour. The held envelope was still three hours from dispatch. I had made enough room for the process to go wrong without turning the deadline into another way to hurry her.
"The registrar is expecting us," she said.
"I know."
"I asked him what he can certify."
I put the folder on the desk. "Good."
The registrar asked for my identification and the holding receipt. He compared both with the book, then asked Nyx to confirm that she was the witness named for the cancellation and return. She confirmed her identity. He did not ask why a student wanted to watch another student collect a sealed letter.
