"What a lovely notion," he agreed. "As long as it is not soaked in… glitter." He grinned wide and crooked. He was assuming by her attitude that the incident with the gargoyle had not been awfully traumatic – he'd never known them to be the sort. But just in case, he would not mention how much it amused him to imagine this dress ruined by excess enthusiasm, practically dyed silver.

    How jealous he was, now that it occurred to him, that he could not mark his partners so well. The thought of being able to send people from his home with the skin around their mouths stained in ways whose meaning only they would recognize, whose meaning they would be terrified others would recognize… what fun.

    Alas.

    "It does, does it not?" He preened visibly about his own 'generosity'. Her ability to consistently stroke his ego without even trying was the most endearing thing he had encountered in an age.

    Such a cute little hop she did. How unfortunate that she seemed to think she should stifle it. Was she only uncomfortable expressing herself around him, because their acquaintance was so new? If she came back he would need to see if she did it again.

    He followed her to see her out, waiting in the doorway for her to take her leave. "You are most welcome," he assured her. "Stay safe, pretty girl, and do not be a stranger."

    As she made her way down the street, a rat peered back out of her bag at him, and he frowned at it.

    She did know that she wasn't entirely human, didn't she? He hadn't thought to mention it, since she seemed human enough in all the ways that counted. Only just inhuman enough to draw the attention of other inhuman things, in the way that like always seemed to attract like. Surely she was aware that ordinary human girls did not commune with rats.

    It was probably fine.