Too small to be coins or rings, thinking about it, sliver actually seemed closer to the shape of it; long and thin... But what's a metal sliver...? Oh! Pins!

Pins?

That would explain her care with each one, wanting to make sure that they stayed precisely where she set them down, and didn't end up somewhere neither of them were expecting.

It was funny, wasn't it? How something as simple and as obvious as them using their words to agree in plain language that after dinner they were going to finally stop the dancing about their mutual attraction and do something about it could feel so... scandalous, almost. So foreign? They were adults, after all.

But it wasn't the topic that brought the reticence, but the clear honesty that felt...well, like being naked. Which was, of course, why she'd done it.

"Would you like some wine to drink while you prepare?" she asked, keeping her tone measured and steady, ignoring the way her heart and breathing wanted to speed up. "I have a bottle we can open now, and keep yours for dinner proper." She gave a soft chuckle. "Play a game, perhaps. Answer for an answer? Unless you want to be a very generous guest and just tell me all about yourself instead."