[Oh, the ridiculousness is not lost on Rue - who by sheer size and species should very well be able to protect themselves - but they have lived a sheltered life, a courtly jewel living in a gilded hall. Rue has never had to defend themselves in a fight and has, most certainly, never once raised their beastly claws up in attack. The very idea is so foreign to them, they wouldn't know where to even begin.

But thankfully, today isn't the day they have to find out.

Even against their owlish features, the relief in Rue's countenance is enormous, their dark eyes going soft as they pick up the hem of their extravagant dress and quickly race after him. There's a soft tremble in their limbs, the feathers in their wings ruffled, as if the very idea of being left behind had frightened them to their core.]

Oh, thank you, Dr. Watson. Thank you. I will make it up to you in the future, but for right now, I must thank you for your kindness towards me.