Leaning forward, Sebastian whispers something in a quiet, hissing language into Irene's cupped hands. As he speaks, she might start to feel an almost imperceptible fluttering against her palms.

"You can peek in or pull your hands apart to get a look, but if you go too far, it'll leave and fade." There, twisting about in mid-air is a small, but brilliantly shining blue-white snake. "It's a nightlight. Harmless, but sweet."