It's been a great challenge in the past months--both here and before, during the Expedition--to find moments in which he can forget about the horrors and just enjoy some levity. They've happened here and there, of course, but each is fleeting, and he's all too aware of how quickly the opportunities to experience them can come to an end.

So when he can, he tries to hold onto them, to enjoy them, to not allow himself to give into the sense that he should temper himself. The alcohol is helping with that, preventing him from doing too much second-guessing, and so he smiles as well and dares a shake of his head even as they're turning.

"It isn't a particularly common choice at a ball, but you asked for something fast." And this had been the one to come to mind. Although James does have to ask--

"Do you attend many such events? Or did you encounter this particular dance elsewhere?"