Hooves meandered closer and closer to the kitchen, until a big white muzzle stuck itself into the kitchen. A gentle pat sounded, then, and Horse finally stopped in the archway entrance. Behind the beast, Beauty emerged, looking poorly rested and far thinner than her mirror told a few weeks before.
It was clear she was interrupting, so she cleared her throat a little and twisted her hands in front of her. "Morning," she said very quietly. "We... We were hoping for maybe an apple. If..."
She left the rest to hang. And then, because he was there, and he was safe, Beauty slid over to where Ted was and set her cheek against the side of his arm. It was like an embrace, but quieter by far - and far less of an intrusion. "Morning," she said again -- and this time, only to him.