A softening of expression, something nearing a smile, as Daniel takes him by the jaw and applies the ice. Degrees of thaw, easy to clock at this vantage point. Or easy to clock because it's Daniel, who misses nothing.

"One performance ain't enough?"

Not everyone ascends the stage. Some of us instigate bar fights and sell surprise at the intrusive anger of a jealous boyfriend. Louis' head tips, into Daniel's hand, at enough of an angle to keep Lestat in his sight lines. Assess how much of this is shared demand.

Louis' already made up his mind, really.

"I think I delivered already."