Itto's comment about being on his knees sent Dorothea's mind down a few very colorful avenues, but she shook her head clear. "I don't mind sitting," she said, feeling a little bit guilty for her initial plan of leaving him to his own devices. He was so earnest, so guileless. She should help him, really, because he was going to start feeling the full effects of that cake before long.

Standing from the chair, she moved to lie beside him, propping herself up on her elbow and looking down at him.

"Are these markings natural or are they tattoos?"