"At least there would be something worth gossiping about," Azriel replied, looking around them idly and seeing nothing of interest. Society parties had their uses but when there wasn't a single piece of salacious gossip to discuss - and he didn't think it was in the best taste to gossip about Voldemort at the Minister's house - it made the party tedious.
"How are you?" he asked, focusing his attention on Stephen and gazing up on him. He frowned when he noticed that Stephen looked... Different. Paler under his tan and his eyes were slightly bloodshot. "You look tired. Have you been working every hour of the day?"