His eyes open wide, and he laughs, surprised and pleased at the joke. "So they are," he says happily. "And very fine ears they are too."

A bit flustered now, and taken aback at his own boldness, he hesitates for a moment, and then leans forward quickly to drop a light kiss onto Sina's cheek. He pulls away just as quickly, the tips of his own ears bright red now, and bobs his head in a short bow, not quite meeting her eyes.

"Rest - rest up now," he stutters, half mumbling. "I'll - I'll - " But his words fail him, and he rushes out of the tent without a backwards glance.