Miss Lycoris was teasing him, and August knew he had to accept that gracefully, with a nod and a small smile. "I shall do my best to make up for the offense I've caused, Miss Lycoris Dempsey," August said, his tone jesting even as he actually meant it, because trying to have a positive conversation with her meant that he could not look about for Miss Adebayo.

He would do his best to be charming — he knew that he could be charming when he worked at it, instead of just a bit awkward, even though he was best at it via letter — for the duration of this interaction. It was a shame that he could not try to smooth things over with a dance like other gentlemen sometimes could.

"Especially because you're right — I am August Echelon-Arnost," he added. "Are you enjoying your night so far?"