"My favorite thing?" she chimes, smiling winsomely - though the effect is slightly lost through layers of fabric - and shifting herself comfortably into the vacated space at his side.

The buzz of her skin is still muted - after being prodded repeatedly the novelty kind of wears off. He makes her forget that she's odd even among the odd things here.

"We won't," she adds reassuringly. "Falling is a rather one-way trip, Tristran."