"But it's a subtle sparkle," By retorts, as he pushes two of the desks facing her together. Having done so, he boosts himself up to lay louche and reclined across them. He studies his well-trimmed nails.

"I certainly can't do what I did last time I needed a woman charmed. Ivan doesn't fit in my pocket." Not to mention he was married, on Ylsa, and just as much too old for Lydain as he was. "Not to mention that would count as cheating. I ought to have a deck of cards if you'd like to play poker." He looks back at Lydain. "Or if you have your cosmetics on hand, I'm willing to suffer being made up for the cause."