[ There's an unhappy noise, low in the back of his throat. Maybe Emmet shouldn't have said anything. Maybe he should just let Ingo shut the conversation down. Maybe they're both not at their best and really shouldn't keep talking, still unsettled or keyed up or whatever else after the forest.

But letting things fall silent on this particular note also doesn't feel quite right. It was a fleeting thought, it should not loom like this. ]

... I am Emmet. [ murmured, quiet. ] I'm glad you're here. I'm glad you're you, that Hisui hasn't changed any of the things that matter. You ... you do know that, right?