That was, actually, something that Colette could more easily find herself sympathizing with. Though she didn't have enough coin to drown a fluke in, boredom (and the avoidance of) had been behind many of her more ostentatious actions. Chasing after your whims kept life [i]far[/i] more flavorful, after all. Even if it occasionally blew up in her face. Occasionally. At any rate, wasn't boredom the whole reason why she was joining in this whole contest anyway? It wasn't as if she was in desperate need of a palace for herself. 

So, when Colette nodded, there was an understanding behind it. [b]"Well,"[/b] she said. [b]"We can't be having /that/, can we? I-"[/b]

She frowned down at her misbehaving glove, giving it a gentle tap with her finger. [b]"Hey. What've I said about biting strangers?"[/b] The glove, for its part, rolled its eyes, and gave a grumbling huff. Colette attempted, for a moment, a more stern expression, but the fond glint in her eye didn't do her any favors. She gave Avernius an apologetic look. [b]"Sorry about that. He doesn't bite as hard as he used to, but he's still a real feisty one."[/b] She scratched it at a spot just at her wrist, which seemed to melt away any attitude the glove had. 

She was distracted enough by this that it was fairly easy for Avernius to start pulling her along, though even then, Colette showed no signs of resistance. She let herself be led along, flicking a curious gaze down at her companion before scanning the crowd. [b]"Cheers to that,"[/b] she said, amiably. [b]"I absolutely mean to brag, but I think I've got a good amount of brawn on me, and we've got the eye-candy covered between the two of us."[/b] 

Her delivery was entirely matter-of-fact, with not a trace of humility- or even flirtatiousness- to be found. She may as well have been commenting on the colors of their hair. 

[b]"Might be good to pick up a scholar with us. Someone from the University, maybe, or-"[/b] Colette brightened. [b]"Maybe even someone with an eye for the Correspondence? Could come in handy."[/b]