He brightens visibly, like a little boy showing off a block tower, or a sandcastle, and takes her hand. He seems to have forgotten he's just wearing a sheet at this point, as well.

At the bottom of the staircase, he nudges open a door and guides her through, turning on lights on the other side. Their destination appears to be a small library, not much bigger than a standard classroom, but tidy and well-organized, with art books both new and antique. There are a few desks, and one wall is covered with framed pictures. Most seem to be charcoal sketches, but there are a couple oil paintings, the largest of which has a distinct resemblance to Balthazar himself. Too distinct to be a coincidence.

"My vessel did these," he explains. "The big one is a self-portrait. 1902."