Normally no matter the stresses of the day nor frustrations of the Council, Adelaide is able to set them aside to keep pleasant and proper company to a man in need of some casual contact. Felix's health continues to fail but he continues to keep if not an optimistic outlook- a kind one. There are days when she does nothing but discuss literature with him and days where they simply converse. Now and then she can be coaxed into singing. Today, however, even with her hand in his and her attention wholly focused not only on the spell soothing his pain but his words as well, some of that tense, cool civility remains.

A shell of ice over an otherwise torrid lake.