They managed a more normal conversation after that: the weather, they did make it around to books, to films they'd seen and liked, ones they hadn't. They bonded a bit over the strangest things they'd had to get used to in Darrow - not including the strangeness that Darrow threw at people.

They went through nearly two pots of tea and, between the two of them, managed to clear the tiered tray between them.

Thomas smiled and looked down at his cup; at some point, he'd leaned forward on the table, a way of being closer.

"Ah, I hope you don't think this is terribly forward. But Magnus Bane is throwing a party for the holiday season, and I was wondering if you would care to accompany me."