“Pretty much,” she sighed, leaning against the door and tipping the head back. “I’m not tired either, I feel like… I’m still wired up.”

“Leeches,” she suggested. “Vampires. Ask one of the Sangrians to suck you out.”

A moment later, his door knob began to turn ominously, gold glittering beneath the shadows. It pressed open, and Pari peeked in from behind the frame, light glowing from her arms.

“Yeah,” she stepped inside, closing the door behind herself. A small lantern was nestled in the crook of her arm, glowing softly against her silky gown. “Me neither. I was going to go get more candles.”

“You said that. I said out.”

“Whatever you say, Sigmund.” she tossed back with a good-natured roll of her eyes, chest lightening some in relief. It was nice to banter with Feo again. Sometimes it felt like the whole world was at her throat… it was too easy to mix up friend and foe.

"Behind the door covered in her blood?" she reached back to grab one of his pillows, tucking it into her arms. "Probably not. You know those kids' handprints are all over my dresses?"

“Well, at least the mystery, yeah.” He said innocuously.

She traced a small pattern along his knuckles with her thumb, then released his fingers back into the cloth. "Well.. I'm glad about that, actually. You still treat me like a person."

“Sounds like there’s more to that thought.” she hemmed, crossing her legs and inadvertently letting her skirt slide slightly up.