"Then we'll be here all night, Miss Vermillion." There was a beat, and then he amended with, "Noel." It was as if he were trying to make the situation between them more personable. Whether or not it was for her benefit or his own remained to be seen, but due to his nature it was a safe bet to assume it was the latter and not the former.

The wood at his back groaned slightly when he shifted as though in protest to his continued weight.

"I have all the time in the world." Quite literally, and if he hadn't finished grinding his teeth all those shifts ago, he probably would be grinding them now. "But I'm sure you don't. Those reports were due by what -- midnight?"