He was agitated, she could feel, not just through her empathy, but in his grip on her hand, in the driving pace, in the way he moved. If her reflexes had been slower, if she had been less experienced, then it might have been a problem. It took a lot to drive Anton to this level of agitation, she knew because she hadn't yet managed it. Valdis didn't know how much control he currently had, and she couldn't risk setting off the gist, not now, not when there were so many people around, especially not when she didn't know of anyone left who could stop it.

"It has," she replied, her voice cheerful, containing none of her own tension. For all appearances, she was completely at ease. "Sometimes people just need a party to boost morale." She laughed, "Besides, it's an excuse to wear a fancy dress and dance with my favorite people."