"Perfect," he declares as he shuttles a few of the little confections onto his plate. "I will remember that! It will be wonderful, Lan Zhan -- anything you like from any world you can imagine. And you could -- "

He almost stutters to a halt as he realizes what he's about to say. If he doesn't finish the sentence, though, Lan Zhan will only grow curious; and if he deflects the curiosity away, they will be back to the fidgeting awkwardness of the previous night.

"You could stay longer," he says -- more to the pastries than to Lan Zhan, despite his best efforts. "Not have to leave so early in the morning every time, if you wish."