"It's certainly an interesting experience," I said. "And some of the teachers? Way cooler than the ones we got back home."

I was becoming aware that I hadn't even broached the subject I'd wanted to ask Valkyrie about, and I wasn't likely to if I didn't go and do it right now. I took a deep breath and said, "Hey, I wanted to ask you something. A friend of mine, Zell, is getting married in a couple of weeks. He's asked me to be a groomsman, but I'm allowed to bring... someone else along." I gave her a hopeful smile. "Want to come to a wedding?"

Okay, that didn't come out quite the way I'd anticipated, but it would have to do.