Ari slowed down his pace to allow for his brother to walk backwards and speak. He nodded his agreement, looking chagrined.
"I'm smothering you," Arioch replied finally. I'm sorry. Will do better, angelino," he managed to whisper before the gypsies were upon them.
Even an awestruck Sharra eventually beamed at Ari from across the way as everyone else who had known and loved Eric from before surrounded him with tears of joy in their eyes.
"Today is a great day, my beautiful gypsies!" Arioch's booming voice rang out. "Today my brother Eric has returned home. And tonight we celebrate!" he finished amidst cheers.