Dean looked at Rina for several seconds.
Then he asked, very seriously, "Do you want to never step inside our palace again?"
Rina blinked.
Sylvia covered her mouth.
"I suggested a pet."
"You suggested another pet in a household that currently contains Boreas, twelve medically monitored former beasts, and a husband who apparently acquires wildlife by accident."
"I didn't say it had to be large."
"That somehow makes it worse."
Rina started laughing.
Dean narrowed his eyes and pushed himself carefully out of the armchair.
Sitting had become deceptive during the last month. It felt wonderful until he attempted to stand and discovered that his hips had apparently fused into whatever position he had occupied for longer than twenty minutes.
He braced one hand against the chair arm and straightened slowly.
Sylvia immediately rose.
Dean pointed at her.
"Don't."
"I wasn't doing anything."
"You were preparing to help me."
"I was preparing to move."
"In my direction."
