She doesn't expect the touch, but his hand is warm and comforting on her shoulder, reassuring in a way she's so quickly come to recognize as familiar. "It is," Rosie agrees, leaning into him a little before he pulls away again. "Exciting and a little scary, but only in a thrilling sort of way."

It's not quite the same as stepping through into Anterwold, or even Darrow. Those had been far greater leaps, far newer worlds, than the near-adulthood she's hoping will be conferred upon her in a few day's time. But in some strange way, the thought of emancipation feels like more of an adventure than either ever did.

"I'll text you once it's been decided," she says, looking over at him and smiling. "Either way. David's promised to come with me to City Hall, but...I want to make sure all my friends know too."