"Would you just tell her, then?" asked Ina. "So we can finally go have dinner."
"Actually, no," said Kier. "You're here to tell her. I'm here to catch up with an old friend." Kier raised his arm so Mina would alight on it. He got his eyes off Athyn for the second time to look at the crow. "Feel like it, Mina?"
Mina rubbed her head against the Mage's cheek. "Did you have to get away from us?"
"That's my Familiar, Kier." Athyn protested.
For the first time, Kier looked at the Femage in the eyes. The sudden green glow in the streaks that formed the stars in his eyes made her take a step back.
"Did I not say your voice is annoying?" said Kier.
Athyn stuttered. "Y—you said d—distracting."
"I meant annoying."