"I already said alienating an Elder was a bad idea," Saracen offered his input, watching Dexter and Rover stand up without making any effort to do so himself. "Thanks for the help, guys."

"Lazy as ever," said Erskine, twisting to jab Saracen in the shoulder with a finger.

"What can I say? I've always had servants to help me out."

Tanith had already shrugged and fallen on the 'piece of Ghastly' Rover pointed out, so Valkyrie stood even more awkwardly by and probably would have continued to do so if Tanith hadn't snaked a hand out and caught her by the ankle. Before Valkyrie knew it, her foot was pulled out from under her, and she fell with a yelp on top of Ghastly's head.

"Ow," Ghastly complained.

"Sorry," Tanith winced. "I was aiming for Saracen."

Valkyrie scrambled off Ghastly and shot Tanith a glare, which Tanith returned as an apologetic shrug. "When in Rome, you know. Besides, it's kind of fun."

And after a moment, it really kind of was. Because Fletcher knelt down next to Valkyrie and wrapped his arms around her, the same way Erskine had wrapped his around Anton. "Mind if I cut in?" he asked.

"Fletcher, I only ever mind when you act like an idiot."

"Is this acting like an idiot?"

"No." Valkyrie leaned back into his arms. "All you need to do now is learn how to massage."

The smile on Tanith's face had vanished by the time Valkyrie was completely relaxed, and she turned over to face Ghastly on the floor, voice low. "Dexter forgot how creepy it was when he did what?"

"That," Ghastly answered. "Know what people are dreaming about. It's a form of magic he and his son have... different aspects of."