Thalia laughed delightedly. It was true, she hadn't said anything; she'd just slipped in quietly ahead of the show and waited to see how long it would take Merlin to notice. Maybe a surprise return hadn't been the wisest idea, considering how her last one had kinda backfired, throwing a half dozen unwelcome surprises back in her face. But the Farcical was still the Farcical, not quite as she'd left it – there were some new faces, some changes in decor – but the buzzing energy of the room was comfortably familiar, and the look on Merlin's face as he emerged through the crowd? Worth it, absolutely worth it.
Thalia kissed his cheek and drew back, grinning. "Thought I'd see if you were paying attention," she said. "Not that there's any getting past you."