[she does smile a little at that. It's hard not to. She likes this side of Marco, too. Maybe best. The blazing intensity. The self confidence.]

Maybe I'll make you try it just to see what you can do [She flips her hair over her shoulder and sits on his legs, regarding him for a long moment. She admires him, too. How much he can carry. How well he works in Luceti, despite everything]

Then you stop hiding in bird form when things get serious. [She lightly flicks him on the stomach] I don't want that. I don't need that. I need you.

[she places her hand flat against his stomach]

Just as you are.