[ "Listen" makes him turn in his seat to give her complete attention, leaning over with a nod. He's listening, and—

For one, she was really, really cool. So cool? So cool. And secondly—she said the thing. He was a nice person, making his lips part slightly as he stared, reddening ears a sign of how he took it. Luckily, the color keeps to the tips of his ears and spreads no where else. Riye had given him one very easy thing to make him go for it, go for anything: just a little bit of encouragement and he felt he could floor it. ]

I do! And— if you guys are saying that about him, it's . . . Gotta be true somewhere. [ He looks!!!! Invigorated!!! He probably has to explain his weird screaming to Mallory eventually too, but! ] I think it's 'cause we already got off on the wrong track. But I'll talk! And let you know!