"Yes, though I don't like it and would prefer you safely moved every day to a new tree. We can't risk her waking up and falling from a tree and so our options are more limited."
My brow furrows. "There can't be many options nearby or you would have found something when you came here the first time."
"I can hear far and we can continually move back within range to check on her. We have much we can explore."
It seems like evolution handed me a very short stick.
"Of course you can, Superkitty," I grumble good-naturedly.
"I'll assume that means something amazing."
"Only the best nickname anyone could ever get!"
He blinks at me, intelligent enough to know I'm pulling his tail.
Our banter helps me put things in better perspective. My arm is healing rapidly after having a bullet lodged in it. It should have taken weeks to heal this much. Silver has the added benefit of the chamber keeping her still as the nanites work.
Things aren't perfect, but I've kept my promise to her.
We'll get her to a safer place soon and I'm sure we'll keep finding more women and doing the same for them. I feel lighter, my breath coming easier and muscles I didn't even know I was clenching start to loosen.
Hope never felt so good.
Thivoll is still looking at me with his cat in the cream look. When I give him a cheeky grin in response, he chuffs and then snaps his teeth at me. He chuffs even more when I jump in alarm.
"I really should pull your tail," I grumble at him.
He stops chuffing. "Is that meant to be some sort of punishment?"
"Oh yeah, you're right. I should not, not, not pull your tail, you wicked Superkitty."
He snaps his teeth again. "You are in danger of losing teddy bearing privileges."
I chuckle at him. "You are on permanent teddy bear duty, regardless of tail-pulling, Thivoll. Get used to it."
He purrs. "They aren't mutually exclusive. But I'm glad you agree I won this argument."
I don't have a ready reply. He got me.
My expression must let him know it because he cuts his eyes at me, blinks slowly, and then pushes back out.
I'm still chuckling as I crawl my way back out of the brambles he pushed through like they were tickly feathers.
33
Thivoll
I love that I've made her laugh, but then it abruptly cuts off and I hear thrashing.
"Are you alright, sweet one?"
I hear more squirming and muttering. "Mostly, I guess. My stupid hair is stuck."
When she lets out a muted yelp, I push my way back in.
She is properly tangled up. Long indigo and orange tresses are wrapped up in a branch on one side. The braid she attempted to contain it with unraveling as I watch.
She must have tried to backtrack and turn to address it and stickers are embedded in the fabric of her rear. I can't even pat it to help her feel better without making it worse.
