Sure you ain't. [Dan responds casually, bringing his hand up to stroke along Aqila's forehead.] Like a hubflower ain't pretty.

[But he lets it drop, as she seems to want to, ignoring the way that his own heart thuds briefly and how his mouth feels drier than the desert he comes from. He nods once in her direction, then clears his throat.]

Yeah, no problem. I reckon me an' her can get along jus' fine fer a moment.