"I hate him," she adds. "I want to kill him. But we're both immortal, as long as there's a flock..."

"He told me how to break the curse, for some reason, but even if I assume he's telling the truth..."

"Of course he did. He's not going to let you do it. The last time a man fell in love with Odette, he wrapped me in spells and made me go seduce him."

"And now I suppose he's made it even harder to. Meet people, than it was then," murmrs Etty. "- Don't call me Odette. I can't remember what it should be instead, but. Etty."

"Don't call me Odile," says the girl, smiling crookedly. "But I can't think of anything I like better."

"...Do you want me to think of something?"

"If you want," she shrugs.

"I'll think about it," Etty says. "...Is it safe for me to be here? Do you ever come out to the lake?"

"I've never done it before. I don't know what he'll do if he finds you here. Probably not anything you'll like."

"That would be in keeping with the trend. Does he come to this room much?"

"Plenty."

"I'm trying to figure out where to hide if he comes up the stairs while I'm here."

"Probably," she says, declining to cover herself.

"Are - you sure you wouldn't rather - put on some clothes -?"

"...Why?"

"Most people prefer it, in company."

"I don't think you're going to fuck me, so what do I care?"

Etty swallows. This person is the only friendly individual remotely accessible. If she wants any help getting out she'll have to accommodate her, at least on minor subjects. "As you like."

"...Something wrong?"

"Apart from my having been kidnapped and cursed?"

She shrugs. "Guess not, then."