"Uhm, excuse me everyone, but I think I need to step away for a moment! You guys keep catching up and sharing old stories without me! I have something really important to do right now!"
Benjamin waved at the group vaguely, his voice slightly higher and faster than normal.
He began backing away from the gathering, preparing to run off before Lotus could close the distance and confront him about his long delay and his new female companion.
"Eh?! But Benjamin, wait a moment," Elara began speaking, her voice strained and frustrated, now forced to sit on Violette's lap because the horned woman absolutely refused to release her. "At the very least, could you please tell your new friend to set me free?! I am a Queen! I cannot be seen sitting on the lap of a strange topless woman, in the middle of the courtyard where anyone could walk by and witness!"
Benjamin took one very good and long look at the situation unraveling before his eyes.
