Jayden narrowed her eyes, suspicious now. "Are you sure you're okay?"
Cain lifted his head from his hand, forcing a neutral expression. "I'm fine. Just… sudden headache."
Mira didn't look convinced, but she waved it off with a shrug and leaned back against the wall. "You're weird, but I've had worse customers."
'See? She's already tolerating your nonsense. A great sign in a future partner.'
Cain internally screamed.
'Besides,' Gaius added, his voice annoyingly thoughtful, 'you need a smith in your corner. One who won't rat you out, one who won't break under pressure. Plus you will need an excuse for when metal starts disappearing to feed your growth. That girl's already stared you down topless with a hammer in hand and didn't flinch. She's got backbone. You like backbone, no? And hips. Hips are good'
Cain thought about flinging himself out the nearest window.
