"Hmmm, we'll see," Potemkin puts down Ky's optimism, but he does so gently at least. He would like to see mercy and generosity from others while they are all in an unstable position, but he could never believe the way Ky can, and he might have hesitated even if those words had come from the mouth of his President. He remembers the sting of other humans' coldness toward him too well.

Ultimately it did take Potemkin's rent for a month (or two), but there came the day when he could pay a visit to the 13th floor. Along with him came one of his fingernails, a strand of hair, and a button of his shirt. Potemkin raised an eyebrow at the requested items, since this didn't seem in line with any sort of magical law or theory he is familiar with. But he came to eat his words at the results.

Some of those around (who had far more experience, a century or two's worth, with what he was feeling at that moment) got amusement from the sight of Potemkin looking up from his own shirt, and they told him with half a laugh in their voices that it is better to dress to stretch than expect anything of his to shrink. He made a mental note to try to keep that in mind later as he made his public half-naked walk down the halls, back to the apartment, to his meager room and bed.

He had been moving quickly, for reasons he couldn't identify yet, so he didn't take notice if anyone else was home.