If it's Guy's intention to encourage Neil's deviance, he's found a good night to do it. Neil's already got it in his head, however small an idea it is. He's had such stumbling in Darrow--the teacher that made spring classes miserable, his disastrous relationship with Gabriel--but Neil's not letting that stop him now.

"I've decided," Neil says, leaning into the bar but not sitting. He's full of energy, a little manic, and it does him good tonight. Makes him a little more bold, a little more confident. "I've decided that I'm tired of letting other, little people decide things for me. I spent all that time in Welton being told how to live--my father, and my teachers, everybody. I managed it a little while in Darrow, and then I got all messed up again. And I'm just...tired of it."

He ruffles his fingers into his hair and gives Guy a cheeky sort of smile. "I've had moments of being bold, besides letting you take me home, you know. I didn't walk totally blind into that."