"All these compliments do a poor job of hiding your relation to each other," Violet whispers to William, in a voice that might almost be mistaken for earnest. "It's obvious now that you've also come to the party dressed as your real self."

"Well, masks are a great way of showing the truth," William says. "Who would expect that I met Chu Chu when I died in a tragic gambling accident and then she brought me back to life?"

"And now you are in her eternal service as payment for bringing you back. Maybe you should consider reanimating the bird, it'd be an excellent party trick."

William Way pouts. "Nobody asked me how you could do a tragic gambling accident."

"How can you do a tragic gambling accident?"

William brightens up. "Well, the dice accidentally came up sevens when both I and some very large men with very impressive muscles were really counting on it coming up sixteen."

"They must have overcome with feeling when they saw you were up and about again."

"Right! But I'm immortal now because I already died. So no harm done. I don't think I got your name."

"Violet." She says it softly. She's been less focused on her voice (though not enough to embarrass herself) but it's now at the front of her mind again.

"I'm William Way," he says as if he expects everyone to know who he is.

"Of course." She says it like she doesn't much care.

William Way finds this kind of confusing but fails to process it.

"Do you wanna head back inside?"

"It is a bit cold. With or without the bird?"

"Without the bird, I think?"

Chu Chu has never been to a fancy party before and is pretty sure that William is wrong about attending them.

"Hey, we should go up to the balcony! Fancy people!"

She'll let him go first.

The balcony is where the wealthiest and best-bred people in London come to see and be seen. You see a glittering insect, an Arabian prince, a fairy, a lioness– all dripping with gems the people on the floor couldn’t begin to afford. Masks cover everyone’s faces: could you be speaking with a millionaire or a duke?

William Way climbs up the stairs like he belongs there.

Chu Chu... is pretty sure she is in fact not allowed to be here.

Violet does not particularly want the possible scrutiny of fancy people, but, given she's dared herself to be here, acting like she feels that way will grab more attention than not.

"Hello, Annie!"

"How dare you speak to me."

"Oh, don't be like that, Annie."

UM????

Oh dear. "She disapproves of his deadly extracurriculars, I think," Violet whispers in Chu Chu's ear.

"One time! One time, Annie."