Perhaps Lioriley drew their aggression because she was the one moving around more. Or maybe because she’s shinier and glowier than Rezo. Alas, the monkeys are not very communicative, so it shall remain a mystery.

Rezo maybe should have set her on her feet himself, because the brief moment of feeling the full length of her body slide downwards, against his own, is a very strong reminder of how closely he’s been holding her. Again.

He rather hastily steps back, internally reminding himself that he is one hundred and twenty something, not twenty.

“Excellent,” he says, not because returning to the inn is actually particularly excellent, but because he’s hoping that if he says words it will help keep her from noticing his moment of embarrassment before he returns to her side.

“I do hope not,” he says. “Or else I fear the local residents will have to be the ones to rescue us.”