She let out a mock roar and lunged at him, her talons clicking against the ground.
Alister stepped back just in time, laughing as she swiped playfully at his cloak, missing it by inches. Her tail lashed with exaggerated menace, her posture all drama and no real threat.
"Take it back!" she demanded, grinning now.
"I take it back," he said, holding his hands up again, still grinning. "You look... decent."
She narrowed her eyes again.
"Fine, fine," he relented. "You look incredible. Honestly. You did it."
Her teasing faded for a second, a flush rising faintly to her cheeks as the gravity of his words hit. She looked down at her hands—her claws—then back up at him, a quiet smile blooming in place of her earlier smirk.
"Thanks," she said, softer this time.
He nodded. "You earned it, Miyu. Every scale."
