Sprawled on the chaise next to him, Damen's body seemed as nomadic as Laurent's was still. Without seeming to notice, he shifted his large body constantly - at times a foot perilously near to Laurent's short table, others a reclining of his curls against the back of the chaise. More often still, his head turned to regard Laurent as he regarded the television, and when Damen spoke, Laurent could not fully repress a smile.

'That word lacks its previous innocence,' he noted. 'And if you have worked yourself to exhaustion, you have only your constant fidgeting to blame.'