[She was paused by the touch. It was so earnest, she reached up to clutch her own chest, as if her heart threatened to spring out of her ribcage.

That "little something" was ironclad, for sure.]

Damn it, when you put it that way, it would be cruel to refuse...!

I'll... endure that half just once more. But I did warn you!

[She whirled a finger against a horn.]

She's a little touched in the head.

[As if on cue, the halls were filled with a piteous wail:]

It BURNED! It burned again!! What is wrong with you, Qalli!?

[Something was shattering upon impact with a wall.]

Again! Let's- let's start another one. I'll do it as many times as I must...