The common room is quiet and dark and still. Just the scant light from Pearl's flowers illuminating the (not very much at all) space between them. And Pearl is lovely to look at from any angle, but maybe especially from this one - or maybe especially right now, looking nighttime-soft and in one safe and solid piece.

Ces laughs at the motion wrinkling up Pearl's nose, sound caught and kept quiet between her teeth. "Oh," she says, all wonder. "I think I'll stick with the dance for now. But that's a real dangerous statement, sweetheart." And it could be. Maybe. Not that she'd really take advantage.

"But you'll go?" Her head tilts, just slightly. "You'll go to the dance with me?"