"We?" says Lev, looking at Jeff with some surprise. "By us back home, we have a committee. Mayors are, like. Nu. Giving one person such responsibility is giving them ulcers. And—" they nearly launch into an explanation of just how dangerous stress-induced conditions are but stop themself. "When one wants to make an enemy miserable, one ought give their foe an important bureaucratic position like that."

They cock their head to one side, looking at Jeff intently. "If nothing else, non-hierarchical organisation of society is khesedik."