Allergies. Must be our buddy. [ He half jokes through the strain, nodding slowly at the carcass. Scrunches his nose with his head ducked down for effect. There's no reason to... lie always feels like a strong word, it's only kneejerk for him to brush off concern, warranted or not. ]

Got a sneeze stuck so far up there it's tickling my brain...

[ He shakes his head through another faint wince. Lets out a breath through his nose. ]

What happened to your music, anyway? [ both eyebrows raise ] Was worried you were gonna ask me to dance again.

[ Be the first time this century. His eyes are bright in a different way now, glassy and feverish. ]