His own smile grew a bit at her calling him sweet. That meant he was making progress, didn't it? That he really was taking this chance and making something new of himself. Whale situated himself so he was sitting close to her, watching the hummingfish play together in silence for a moment.

"Being bounced around to different worlds is not something I'd like to make a habit of," he said, "but it isn't completely terrible. Each new world opens the possibility of something to be discovered. New mysteries to unfold... It's exciting."

He was more Victor than Whale as he spoke, the eagerness sparking his eyes in a way that was never seen before the curse broke.