Estelle answers him with a snort, nosing at his shoulder, then trying to tug the lapel of his jacket. She knows the apples live in your jacket, Pretty Human. Which part though? This is a neat game!

Gray laughs at Estelle’s search for treats, leaning against Javic a little as he reaches out to try and stroke her neck, which she allows.

“It’s not so weird—you always looked out for me that way.” Gray points out, squinting at nothing as something starts to come into focus in his memory. “I was thinking about it before…remember when I was four and you had to run into the water after me? I chased a jelly crab into the waves and got knocked down, but you pulled me out and carried me home. I…remember you—went back. You left again after we got back and Mom made me take a nap. I didn’t see you again…until dinner, I think. That’s when you came back and gave me a jelly crab shell you went out and found for me.”