“Ah!” Sybella’s attention was caught by his cane, and she felt her cheeks heat with mild embarrassment. “Well, now I’ve gone and turned you off me with my tactlessness, I’m afraid.” She said, wincing.

“Are you quite certain you’re alright attaching yourself to me for the foreseeable quarter of an hour, Mr. Echelon-Arnost?” Her expression was kind, and she tried to convey that she would not be at all insulted if he decided to turn heel and go the opposite direction of the punch bowl.