"Cheers to that," Irene agreed, actually snorting out an undignified little laugh as she saluted Amaya with her kebab. Maybe this had been the secret the whole time? Eating things off sticks and maybe letting up on her own self-inflicted prissiness for a moment? "Bendy straws would allow a lot of freedom of manipulation, too."

She traced a similar curlicue in the air. "Ever see a Rube Goldberg machine? I bet you'd find them inspiring." Or she'd hate them for being needlessly complicated. The fact that Irene wasn't sure of the answer delighted her.