"Kleines."
"Thelma, how are you doing?" Kleines answered, stepping forward to gather her in a gentle embrace.
"Very well," she replied, hugging him back with a soft chuckle.
Nearby, Leora turned her attention to Alea, who approached with a bright expression while Levina still held quietly onto Leora's arm.
"Alea," Leora greeted.
"Leora," Alea answered, her eyes sparkling with mischief as they flicked toward James. "Did you finally reconcile with James?"
James nodded with almost comical enthusiasm. Leora merely gave a small shrug.
"One day, maybe."
Alea laughed and glanced at James again. "Well, do not lose hope."
"I will not," James said at once. "If Kleines managed to win you back, it should not be too difficult for me."
"Well… right…" Alea's smile faltered for half a second, a faint awkwardness passing across her face before she recovered.
"James."
Kleines moved toward him with a smile.
