"Sometimes, these things have to be done," she said, her voice a little sad, too. "You don't have to apologize." She held on to him for a few moments longer before releasing him and offering him a smile, brilliant with cheer. He seemed to need that, too.
"Now then," she said, "I suggest you turn around so that I can get some actual clothing on." Her tone was teasing, and she hoped the humor would distract him from his gloomy thoughts. She even put her hand on the tie of her dressing gown, pulled slightly. "Once that's done, I'll take you onto the stage, and let you lounge about on the ugliest fainting couch known to humankind."