He shrugged and muttered something noncommittal. He didn't like being on his face all the time, but sometimes stuff just had to be done. Then there was nothing to be done but to just do it. "Swooning my ass. This isn't some trashy novel," he muttered a little louder.

"Yeah," he said, in agreement with Daemon over River's ability to take care of herself. "Only problem she's ever had was Ichimaru. And that wasn't anything anyone could've fought right against."

He took a couple of deep breaths and stood. His head hurt, but he was mostly steady, though he still had the napkin to his nose. "I need to get to taichou. I'm already late."