[ Winter laughs at that, though he's a bit more embarrassed this time. His ears feel warm. There's no denying the fact, though, especially to someone who knows him as well as Nikolas does. As much as Winter has been throwing himself into his work since his abrupt ascension, he's definitely still faltering in that one key place. ]

Do you know, saying something like that might get us both in trouble... but between the two of us, I have to agree. He might be a little mad, but he's certainly a clever one.

I confess, too, that I'm glad of it. It's reassuring.