Soft come the dragons

Totally unaware of his beta's contemplation Ariston couldn't help but laugh out loud when she next began to apologize. Of all her traits -and she had a crap ton of them- it was Koontz's blurts that he found he liked best. Being that she was naturally reserved and polite the sucker punch of honesty was a breath of fresh air. She couldn't let misunderstandings slip by; they had to be addressed right at the moment her error was noticed.

"Nah," he said with an offhanded shrug and a friendly nip at her cheek. "If I eat then I'm going to be full and really make an spectacle out of myself." Inwardly he merely wanted to make sure that if/when they failed there would be a meal for both her and Ray...the one true weakness of the hard working introvert.

"Mo's honor could kick my ass," was his final sentiment before he wheedled back and fell in step just behind Koontz in a gesture of handing her the reigns. Despite the rainwater soaking his pelt he felt largely in control of the situation...so far. "If I am trampled to death in the mud," he whispered as they both settled into predator mode, "at least tell everyone I went down looking cool. And don't tell them if I pee myself."

Especially not that.