“I said unless,” she huffs, as though that negated the fact she definitely, definitely shot him down initially.

“This job to retrieve geodes intrigues me, but they talk of… monsters.” She says the word with an almost audible squint and a frown. How preposterous.

“Therefore, I require an assistant.” Read: she requires a meat shield. She straightens back up and gives Kai a once over. “You will do.”