[ Oh – she'd gotten so used to him talking like some pretty storybook thing that hearing that come out of him startles a little laugh out of Ai as well. She half covers her mouth like she wants to try and push it back in – an unrehearsed laugh is never as pretty as one she's practiced – but it's put a bit of a sparkle back into her eyes that had dimmed just a little bit. ]

Heehee, is hanging around with us humans rubbing off on you a little too much? That'll be our secret.

[ Her smile flags, just a little, as she looks at him. The atmosphere of the room had turned warm but like ice sliding down her spine, so too do his words: If they find you, they will strike to kill. Knowing that, can you still fight for your own happiness?

Can she?

Is that something she's even allowed to do? ]

... hey, Oberon. If something goes wrong and one of them does find me... Would you be able to keep me safe?