Brennan worked his jaw slightly from side to side, waiting for the feeling to come fully back into his cheek. In the midst of such a happy moment, he had not been expecting such an attack. But while his old friend, and some new ones it seemed, came to his defense, he just wanted. While he had been through much in his life, he was certain that this was a something new.
Of course, he recognized the lady. One Elsa Z-something Vargas, as she had introduced herself the night before. She seemed to think that she knew him from somewhere, despite his assurances to the contrary. Now it was clear to him that she had not given up on that idea. It was almost flattering, in a distorted and disturbing way.
The language she spoke he had heard before, but he knew not how to speak it. Her voice and posture filled in all the blanks for him, as she seemed confused and apologetic. Brennan grabbed hold of Imp's other shoulder with a firm grip before letting her go. He stepped around his oldest friend, telling Imenry, "I know her," under his breath as he passed. He would have smiled reassuringly if he could have, but his face still stung. Despite her size, the mage put quite the force behind her slap. He would have to clarify to Imp later how he knew the young lady who slapped him, but he would have to let Imp build her own ideas for now.
He did not really have to guess to figure out what it looked like to anyone who did not know better.
Although there was a solemn look in his eyes, he managed to quirk a half grin at the chastised woman. "I had been fearing that this was all a bad fade dream, but now I know I am awake." He meant to try to defuse the situation, although his laugh following his comment was not as full bodied as usual. He rubbed his cheek absentmindedly, before adding, "There's no need to be ashamed or apologetic, I am sure I deserved that slap."
He chose his words carefully, mindful of the company he was in. "If not for...leaving you so suddenly last night than for all the times I have avoided such punishment in the past." Brennan had no real need to defend himself or his actions to other people, he had so little pride that attacking him garnered little reaction. However, he had loyalty by the spadeful, so attacking his friends and family, however obliquely, angered him immensely. He would not be nearly as forgiving if Elsa chose to slap Imenry instead of him. Of course, he would have had to wait his turn had that happened, because there was not way that Imp would have let her off easy either.