You want me to have tracked you down to beg every day.

[ Bastien will pet Whiskey, scratching at her rump while she continues licking Byerly's hand. He has Rat Red pinned down with the other, letting her try to wriggle free — she loves it. Maybe the effect of Bastien's tense, chilly expression combined with using both hands to entertain the dogs would be funny to an onlooker with no investment in this argument. ]

If I keep having to live without you, Byerly, I am going to learn how to do it without cracking up every time. I'm sorry if that's a blow to your ego.