It's his turn to crane his neck as he watches her move about, trying to guess where she plans to settle. He's very good at reading body language and discerning intention, but body language is typically bound by gravity — not capable of making its own.

"Normally I'd recommend you not resist the urge, and simply rid your stomach of the nausea and be done with it at the first convenient opportunity," he says. "It would put an end to the problem for you. Though I suppose it would pass on the problem to anyone nearby, and they would object."

In other words: don't vomit at friendly gatherings. Which Abby has certainly already figured out. If she decides to ceiling-walk at less-than-friendly gatherings, though, well — it's not always worth holding on to manners.

"I'd be very interested in anything you learn about jumping sideways from building to build. I'm very experienced with such things, but only in the traditional way."