It took a moment to peel her tongue off her teeth and then another moment to register the laughter.
"No problem," Allegra wheezed. "For an additional fee I'll also kick you in the ear and-or crack your kneecap. Now, excuse me, where's my elbow?"
The elbow was in her cushion savior's stomach; Allegra removed it politely as possible and rolled off to her feet. She rotated her shoulder gingerly and checked on the feline glued to her shirt--blasted thing was fine--, before reaching down and hauling the man to his feet unasked.
"New York, New York, it's a hell of a town; go out for a stroll and sky's falling down," she sing-sang. "Anything broke beyond repair or are you--
*Not human. Legra, he's not--oh dear.*
"--all right?" Allegra's expression didn't quiver, didn't change. But she registered the worry in Elpis' voice.