Karma didn't even bother looking up at him when he was speaking for the first time. She could feel his emotions, and looking might make it worse. Her eyes were down on the stone floor, looking at the patterns in the stones.

She tried to shut her mind off to what he was thinking and feeling, and the thinking worked. He was having fun at times, but not at others. Concentrate, Atkins. Let him be. She sighed, and it was almost as if she deflated slightly. There. No more being able to know how he was feeling, for she had blocked it out.

It was dark, and she stole a look out the window to see the moon. They had better get going before either got in trouble.

"I don't hold anything against anyone," she said simply. "We need to be heading off to our common rooms, we don't want to be getting in trouble. You can find me easily, and I'll know if you're looking for me."

She walked up to him and gently touched his arm, expecting him to cringe or to freeze or to do something. She did it anyway because she was bold.

"Goodnight, Irial," she said smoothly. Her voice flowed the way his did for that one time.

Turning towards the stairs, she began to head off. He was interesting, and she would definitely talk to him again. She just knew it.