[Lush]

Oh drat it, this was definitely not Lush's turn to do or say anything of any importance, except for clapping vigorously as ever for Mr. Mithadan (the hot one), Piosenniel (the hard-core one), Child (the erudite one), and Beth (the full-of-surprises one), all of them equally wonderful and equally delectable.

Nevertheless, amid all the action, a voice slightly tinted with the steely chill of the Siberian plains rang out over the crowd:

"I love you all and would gladly miss my flight for you, alas, Europe awaits! I am going for the next three months, to get rid of the last remaining shreds of innocence to be found on my person!"

With this statement, Lush gave quick parting kisses to Heren and Squatter, shook Diamond's hand, winked at Dr. Maril, and turned her white, pristine jacket inside out, so that those next to her saw it was of the most delicious, Devilish Blue on the inside, for it was a bright morning, and Eau de Innocence (found at your local Sephora counter) was fading on Lush's skin.

"If anything should happen to me, the Barrow-Downs will inherit my beer arsenal, and my dirty jokes catalogue!" Lush cried as she made it for the exit, too harried to even make a proper dirty reference, hoping it would have come to her sooner, her spirits slightly dampened by her own under-performance, but hopeful still.

"Merci bien for everything, my darlings," Lush murmured and clicked her magic heels and was on her way home, flying, as any impoverished Blue Devil, economy class.