The darkness was no veil for Claudia, who say as well as if the sun was at its height above them, and the reflection of every star off of the surface of the fountain or polished slope of a cobblestone was a shimmering glow. She could watch this girl's approach for what felt like a mile. And under the cover of dark, after the girl called out and seemed to meander after some other scent, Claudia's perfectly poised distress dropped with an impatient huff and roll of her eyes, and Claudia drummed her fingers thoughtfully on he street as she considered her next lure.

"Quickly, please, oh, it's so dark," she decided to agree, tremulous and pitched youthfully high, under she was dropping the character once more to rest her head on her shoulder where she was still propped up on one elbow, and watch this searching girl with a critical purse of her lips.