"It's the right thing to do," he responds with a soft laugh, not taking Merlin's prickliness too seriously. What he says-- in huffs and surly tones-- and what he ends up doing anyway-- the noble thing, inevitably-- are two very different things.

"Honestly, the vomit everywhere at the festival was super gross. I hope it's not the Root we have to touch." He'll touch it anyway. Or very sweetly try to get Merlin to touch it in his stead, then praise him for being so brave.

"Funnel cake, maybe? Hopefully?" He tiptoes to touch it as it flies from the Goodliffe child's hand. (Doesn't Armani know this kid from somewhere? It's fuzzy.)