Otter Creek trickle down the spine

In normal circumstances, perhaps the jest would be better received. Oh, who are we kidding? Maegi couldn't take jokes, not even in the best of times. She whipped her head 'round to glare at him, face still drawn and dripping. You have no idea, she snapped, before thinking better of it.

Shit. He probably was just kidding, but still. . . He had no idea. No one but her had any idea the darkness she found herself mired in as of late.

Sorry, Maegi said half-heartedly, rising slowly to her paws. Her chest sagged in a sigh and she turned to Mahler fully, still looking peeved, but at least a little contrite, now. It's. . .it's just been one thing after another since we last saw each other. That's all. Understatement, that. But no need to go into the gory details yet.