Fitz just smiles at the byplay, content to observe in silence for the moment.<br/><br/>Yazkov waits until the waiter returns and takes everyone's order before answering both Ysabel and Alexi.<br/><br/>"Yes, if you like.  A job offer.  Self-employment on an account not so very different than what you have done for others.  It is what you know, yes?  And where your skills lie."  He grins at Alexi.  "Ah, how well I remember! Beria and Iron Felix and the shades of Ivan Grozny and Aleksandr Nevsii...such tales, eh?  We are criminals, as you say.  We have always been criminals.  It is our nature.  That we serve in the name of the law does not change that."<br/><br/>Fitz turns to Archibald.<br/><br/>"Did he ask you about the Milton bit?  Ineffable plans and all that?"  The man grins, and there's something a bit feral in the expression.  "Mister Yazkov and I came to an agreement on the matter over a nice game of chess."<br/><br/>"Chess," Yazkov snorts, "and the fair young women serving us the jumped beers."