Well, this is just appalling all around. "I didn't, either," she says, practically on top of Iman's explanations. "I'd never," she flaps feebly in the crow's direction, blush deepening, "before, and I didn't know it, um." Didn't know it would feel like that, oh dear, she'd stroked him, how completely mortifying.

Angus gives her a gentle nudge, and Greta swallows heavily. The more of a fuss they make, the worse they're just making one another feel about it all, and so she makes an effort to rein herself in. She lets go of Angus, mostly, just keeping a hand on his shoulder as she sits up a bit straighter. "I'm all right," she says, her voice steadier than it was before. "Just, um... surprised." Curling her fingers into Angus's fur, she asks, "And you're all right, too?"

"I am if you are," Angus replies, pressing his nose against her temple.