[ not always he almost adds, but thinks better of it, letting the sentiment hang as she moves forward to take his arm and start to direct him back towards the inn. he lets her, with barely a hint of tension when she initially reaches out, curiosity pulling him along as much as she is.

the armor continues to clank, and kaz finds himself snorting once more. ]

I have done nothing to irk Astoria's anger. Others, though...

[ he gives a short shrug, belatedly realizing just how much lighter it all feels. how much easier. there is still a pain to his side, a stretch of skin he feels when he laughs, but this is no more difficult and dealable than his leg, so he's paying much smaller mind to it. her comment about him turning into a demon catches him a bit off-guard, but he rolls with it anyway, giving very little away (except inej would know it anyway) that he's at all surprised. ]

Maybe she just matched my insides to my out. Anyone who knows me wouldn't be any more surprised by this than they are of me.