"That explains specifying 'nonconsensual' torture."

"Mmhm."

Serik smiles at Siva with immense fondness.

"Well, that explains at least part of the reason he called you delightful. Is that why you agreed to dance with him?"

"Enh, he had already noticed me, and I figured--rightly, as it turned out--that acting like the quavering mouse I'm not wouldn't help."

"Sensible."

"Did he ask you to dance too?"

"No."

"He asked me," says Serik. "So I did. To singing rain, because the musicians at his party didn't look like they were going to come through."

"Okay, I'm impressed. Even I wasn't crazy enough to try to attract his attention."

"It was very effective."

"At?"

"The things getting caught kissing boys were good for."

"Well, I can see that."

Serik laughs. "They won't be forgetting tonight for a while."

"Especially since I can only assume you're going to have to go out a third time in a short time and that basically doesn't happen."

"I won't go to Oroshe this time, I don't think. I'll look somewhere else."

"Trying new things is good for the soul."

He snorts.

"Sort of weird that you find unswans never in three thousand years and then twice in two months."

"Honestly," he says, "if I'd met Necori first he'd be a swan right now."

She glances at Necori.

He shrugs. "It was what I thought I was signing up for."

"You are way too blase about a hundred and fifty years of torment."

"If it was going to happen to someone, why not someone who got something out of it?"