Elodie rubbed her forehead as Elise took Noel's hand.
"If you have any feel for instrumentation," she said, "come find me. There's a practice room on the second floor. Use it tonight if you want to prepare. Don't let tomorrow catch you unprepared."
She leaned in and pressed her lips to his forehead.
"Good luck," she said.
She turned and walked away and several people fell into step behind her without being asked.
"She's the leader of the instrumentation category," Joel said.
"I gathered," Noel said.
He looked at the butler, who had been waiting near the door with patience.
He turned to Joel.
"Good night," he said. "And you too, Elodie."
Elodie waved.
"Pass the test," she said. "Or I'll be very disappointed."
"I will," he said.
Joel stepped forward. He leaned in and pressed his lips to Noel's cheek.
Noel went still as Joel stepped back.
He looked at Noel's face... the red that had appeared in his cheeks and the widened eyes.
