The pull toward tactility was one that Mingjue usually resisted, the inclination to touch, especially around his subordinates. But A-Yao wasn't that, not like the Meng Yao he'd known, and Mingjue's barriers were lowered and he needed the reassurance of at least some small part of reality.

And A-Yao was lovely in his enjoyment of the touch. His closed eyes made Mingjue feel protective, standing as they were by the side of a bath drawn in a way that only drove home the surreality A-Yao spoke of.

So he laughed with A-Yao, another rumble of amusement, and said, "The hat changes your shape. Yes, by making you taller. Just reminds me I'm missing pieces you know all about."

His laughter then quieted and his tone dropped to say, "You're not happy."