Viola

Three hours today, smiling the whole time. The most expensive thing in this tower is my patience.

• MirIsn't the chandelier more expensive?
  ViolaMy family sent that chandelier too, actually.
• Professor HowellPatience isn't something you put a price on.
  ViolaThat's because you've never had to sit through it, Professor.

I read the clause three times. By the third, there were nail marks left in the copy.

• MirIf the copy gets damaged, I'm the one who has to recopy it, my lady.
  ViolaThen recopy it. That's an archivist's job.
• RaielPatronage and contract are different documents.
  ViolaI know. That's exactly why I'm reading it.

They say frost roses wilt at the touch of a warm hand. So I only ever touch them with my fan.

• MirI actually made that up last year.
  ViolaThen the archivist can pay for the wilted rose.
• Professor HowellGreenhouse rules forbid touching in the first place.
  ViolaOnly the people who follow the rules ever get punished.

The resonance charts overlap more cleanly than last month's. I won't ask whose hand was behind it.

• Professor HowellCharts aren't clean or messy. They're only right or wrong.
  ViolaYou really have no romance in you, Professor.
• MirYou say you won't ask, but you're the one who stared at it longest.
  ViolaArchivist, don't expect a seat in the parlor next time.