"If I start wiggin' out over anything, I'll let you know," he said. "We can work out a signal; I'll rub my nose or something as a sign that I need to get the hell out of there. But I haven't felt that way in while." He gave her a solemn look. "Mercer was the last time and I really didn't know that was gonner happen."

She turned her hands and tapped her fingers on the table. "Better pick a phrase, or else I'll have to tell a lot of people to fuck off if you get a head cold." She said with a smile. She looked around the Commons again and then back at him. "I didn't think it was a Mercer, or you were... wigging." She said. "You looked upset, Maitiu. I told him he could stay, and what he could talk about, or he could leave us. He left. You were snapping at him too." She added, shaking her head.

"Sometimes shit is upsetting," he pointed out. "Last time I saw the bloke he'd just ditched my best mate for the asshole that sent him to prison. Everyone's gonner have hard feelings. Maybe he's changed. It's been a while. I wouldn't deny 'im flat out if he said he's grown up. But . . . I don't know. He can't apologize to Leannan any more, so I think he owes one to me first."

"And he didn't apologize. All he wanted to do was talk about old times." She crossed her arms. "Sometimes shit is upsetting, and some people handle upsetting shit better than others." She looked down at her drink and rubbed her arms. "I need to walk. Will you be fine here?"

He raised an eyebrow. "You all right? You want me to come with? Remember about the gates if you go out; they mean it." He gave her a half-smile. "It would be a shame for the prettiest rear in Tir-Nan-Og to freeze off one dark winter's night."

She smiled back, and shook her head. "I need to think, is all." She replied. "I'll bring my rear back as pretty as you found it." She said, and stood. "You're sure you'll be fine?"

He nodded. "I'll stick close enough to be found. I'll be fine. This is the safest place in the world," he assured her.

"If not, I'll find you at dinner." She promised, and headed for the door, looking over her shoulder at him before leaving.