Okay, she had said not to touch it, he'd give her that, but he'd just been so curious! Who knew that slimy goo could hurt?! Sliding backward with her help, he sucked on his finger again--eugh, well, at least he'd gotten most of the bad taste off the first time.

She took his hand, and he stared at her wide-eyed for a moment. Wait, what was she doing? ... And why did girls have such warm, soft hands? He cleared his throat awkwardly, forbidding the blush that was creeping across his face to spread any further. No! His heart belonged to Evangelyne! What was he thinking??

The girl looked at him very seriously then, and when she asked how badly it hurt, he was actually torn. Did he answer honestly to see what she would try and do? (It actually hurt quite a bit more than he had expected any goo to be able to cause!) Or did he suck it up and act tough? (He wasn't trying to impress her, though, was he?)

Ah, who was he kidding? He was trying to impress everyone.

"I-it's fine!" he assured her, sitting up straighter and putting on a brave face. "It doesn't even hurt that bad. Like some Puddly swarm could actually hurt me, a Knight of the Order of the Shushu--hah!" He jabbed his stung finger in the direction of the shore. "You won't win, Fire Puddlies! I, Messire Tristepin de Percedal, shall vanquish you!!"

He flashed a quick grin at the girl and then hopped back to his feet.

"Don't you worry about me, fair lady," he said, bowing his head a little. "I'm not so easily gotten the best of!"