"I'm sure he would require a shoulder to cry on as well, so really, you would be helping each other," Krishna countered with an arched eyebrow. He need not get into more detail than that, when the advantages of Cal's position in Hiraeth were obvious. "Your pride, then, though I don't see a difference between the two for you."
It was refreshing to have someone so vitriolic to banter with. Krishna knew that she didn't mean the ragged edges of her jokes, or the abrasive scrape of her comments - he was made of hardier stuff than that. Besides, he knew what true unpleasantness was like, thanks to a recent Clovennian customer, and this was not the same thing. Morrigan had her own particular charm, and Krishna found himself appreciating it.
"You will just have to indulge us, I'm afraid," Krishna replied, his lips twitching. As much as Morrigan tried to push him away, he stayed where he was. This was nothing compared to those first years right after the fire, and he had since discovered so many reasons to stay steadfast by her side. "I can't speak for Calvin, but I can't see how you can get rid of me."
He could feel her eyes on him, even when he wasn't looking at her. What was going on in her head, now, when she had just dragged her good-for-nothing brother back? What terrible luck she must have, to drag such a painful piece of the past back on her birthday. He just hoped his little gift didn't seem small and frivolous to her.
A collective wave of excitement rolled through the crowd around them. Krishna sat up straighter, his shoulder bumping gently against hers, as he turned his gaze skyward. "It's starting."