It's the kind of pivot that, if Lestat were confident in his standing with Louis, he would make fun of Louis for it. Oh, you wish to change the subject, mon cher? You wish to dangle an opera in front of me? Well, good choice, it has worked.

This is circumvented, and the mnh sound from his side of the phone is all pleasure. Louis can probably imagine the shape of the smile that produces it. The ugly snarl of jealousy relaxes slowly, as if being petted, soothed.

"Yes," he says. "It's been some time."

For them. For him. On that note—

"How do they dress for operas, now?"