"I'm a man of wide and varied interests," he replied lightly. He was used to Alice's sense of humour by now...she delivered everything so straight and seriously, Sven felt like he was always waiting on the end of the sentence for a surprise flick in the tail.

He felt he was beginning to get a handle on how Alice expressed her friendship--or if not quite friendship, invitations for amicable company--too. "I'd like nothing better," he said with a grin, being completely earnest. It was completely fine with him if Alice wanted to be coy--Sven would happily be direct enough for both of them.

"...Just do me a favour and if you decide you're going to throw the plate, throw the plate before I get too stuffed with crab. The last time I had to run on a full stomach I got the most terrible stitch in my side."