"Right," he agrees. "It's not for everyone, just - rather sad, sometimes."

Iobel nods and hugs her cat.

Edarial pets Berathyme, who nuzzles him and then goes back to napping.

"On the bright side," says Zevros, "you two seem to agree with each other on most subjects. So, yay that."

"And I'm sure drawing attention to that won't at all cause it to pop like a soap bubble," sighs Iobel.

"Hey, one of us has to be the bright cheery twin, and it sure as hell isn't Edarial right now. Sometimes I have to take the bright side of the situation and rub it in his face."

"Don't I remember something about you having decided not to speak?"

"Oh, right. Back to doing that. Whoops!"

Iobel glances at Edarial.

Edarial shrugs a little. "Has it all popped like a soap bubble? Is our marriage now doomed?" he deadpans.

"Well, if it has not popped like a soap bubble, that would be a pleasant surprise. I dislike lost progress. In full generality."

"I do not see any lost progress? Am I mistaken?"

"I anticipated it, but it would seem I was too pessimistic."

"Apparently so," says Edarial, with just a faint hint of teasing.

"Ha!"

But Iobel has not been made optimistic enough to say what she's now thinking. She catches Cricket up on the conversation instead.

Cricket listens - then crosses the table to peer at Edarial up close. Judgmentally, because he is Cricket.

Edarial looks at Cricket, then inclines his head and says, "Hello."

"Hello," says Cricket, lashing his tail thoughtfully.

"You will good Iobel. Or else," Cricket pronounces. And then he steps back over to his binder.

Iobel facepalms. "I taught him to say 'or else' when I was eleven and have regretted it since."

Edarial tries very hard not to giggle. "I'm not offended. Yes, I will not mistreat Iobel."

Iobel translates this for Cricket.

"Not not bad Iobel. Good Iobel. Good good good Iobel." Cricket rubs his face on her cheek.