“More like figuring out how Phil can interact with the world,” Robbie says, after taking in the questions, barely veiled mockery, and tangling incident. When the daemon had gotten snagged, Robbie had started to move to help, but the daemon pulled free quickly.

Phil, on the other hand, takes offense, and the daemon’s ears twitch up straight. The brown fur stands on end, and Phil looks impossibly rounder. But it is not the offense that was meant to be taken. “You think pointing my ear’s a trick? What kind of lame magic shows are you used to?”

“Anyway, I think it’s a great shape. Phil’s small enough to get in tight spots or fit in my pocket if there’s a bright light. Can’t have your daemon going tharn, can you? Like a deer in headlights.” The bunny is placed on his shoulder with a final pat to get her to stay quiet. “I’m down for a friendly competition, but I’m not competing over who’s got the better soul. Yours has a lot of good points. So does mine.”

Phil is giggling into Robbie’s hair at the pun and quietly hiccups, “Pun intended. Pun so intended - don’t let him tell you it’s not.”