There was a light snicker at Collette's retort to Caesar, but Lavi made no further comment of his own. He was too preoccupied trying to figure out the pacing of the story. It was weird to make such huge leaps when the story was only just starting, but it kept him curious and if that was its intended purpose, it succeeded.

He was about to turn his head and raise an eyebrow at Caesar when Collette started coughing. It was a normal sound in the room by now, but it never stopped being an unpleasant and worrying one. His hand was far too small to be effective like this, but he moved his arm to pat her on the back.

When the coughing subsided he did finally look to Caesar, almost pointedly. Although it was a question Lavi could understand. Still . . .

"Not very romantic, are ya? He could be marrying her because he fell in love."