the monsters turned out to be just trees

hope keeps us breathing, just to kill us in the end

Remi tried to hold the luxere against his chest to give her at least some stability. His large paws were gentle around her, his claws pulled in as deeply as they would go even to the point of pain on his part. But he'd not accidentally puncture her soft belly this way.

Though the manticore could not see the man or the blood on his back, he could indeed feel the way Loren was tensing considerably. It came through in his knees, the way he clenched, how his fingers tugged at Remi's feathers and mane.

"I can feel you fretting up there, you know." The alchemist said. Despite not liking partially shifting to talk, it wasn't as though Loren could see it. Besides, he hoped a bit of banter would settle the summoner's nerves somewhat.