[Matoba holds up a hand at the offer, the universal sign for 'no thanks'; he'd had a cup or two of sake earlier in the festival, a rare indulgence, and look what had happened later that night. He wasn't exactly going to be nursing a hangover from two cups, but fighting, inhaling that strange spiritual fog, and bloodloss on top of that wasn't going to make more alcohol any more enticing for the time being.]

[There is a thoughtful pause to Wei Wuxian's question- cross-alliances of his own, hm? Internally he has to allow himself some amusement; he had warned the man, hadn't he? Matoba wonders whether he will be so naive as to think he wasn't serious, if this results in their clans being at odds.]

Yes. I figured it would be rather important, so I began networking across clan lines as soon as I found myself here- searching for other practitioners and surveying their thoughts on our situation. I believe there will be some willing to form partnerships, but indeed, we all have only just come to know one another. It's difficult to say whether there will be stronger loyalty towards our common ground than towards our masters.

...As you say, our contracts will weigh heavily.