nose to nose

Come on, nobody can say no to Pongo! Not that he will not take no, mind; he just has never heard it.

Maybe he does not know how to be nervous around Elma because he just woke up this way. Truly!

But for Pongo, any remeeting is reason for reunion, and there is no occasion too small to merit a hug.

"Easy there, Rook," she says, but the corners of her lips curl into the idea of a smile, because his face does look just a touch apologetic.

"Just gathering data," he replies, ducking his ahoged head. "For future encounters?"