Melisa watched her father's back as they made their way through Syux's crowded streets. The morning crowd parted before them like water around a particularly murderous rock.
[Okay, this is getting ridiculous,] she thought, noting how even humans who normally crossed the street to avoid nim were taking one look at Melistair's face and deciding today was a great day for an impromptu jog in the opposite direction.
"Dad," she said, quickening her pace to walk beside him, "you're kind of radiating 'about to commit homicide' energy right now."
"Am I?" His voice could have frozen lava.
"Look, I get it. If he really did try to kill us, I'll help you hide the body, trust me. But maybe dial back the murder face until we know for sure?" She giggled for good measure.
That got through. Melistair's shoulders relaxed slightly, though his expression remained stormy.
"Sorry, I... guess I'm letting my emotions get the better of me. I'll try to calm down."
[... Keyword being: "try", I guess.]
