In Rosabelle’s dorm room, James struggled through a prolonged, low-stakes conversation designed to ease Rosabelle into trust. He noted her appearance in normal clothes and felt destabilized by his intense attraction, finding it hard to maintain composure. Rosabelle mostly avoided eye contact, but when she looked at James, he felt a powerful impact that worsened his distraction.

James tried simple questions, like asking Rosabelle’s favorite season, but she challenged the relevance of such inquiries. Her resistance and his own mounting agitation led James to suggest a break to get food, both to cool down and reset the interaction.

When James mentioned the dining hall, Rosabelle revealed she had not received a tour and believed a sponsor would handle orientation. James realized he had failed to tell her that he himself was her sponsor, information she received with shock and visible distress, going rigid at the news.

James, aware of the power imbalance and his discomfort with manipulating her, affirmed that he was her sponsor and offered to begin the promised tour. The scene closed with his tentative plan to show her around, signaling the start of his formal sponsor duties.