「Ten minutes earlier.」
"Are you cold?"
Philinos tilted his head slightly, asking the young woman nestled against his shoulder.
"I'm not cold," Gu Ning answered in a muffled voice.
At that moment, she was being held by Philinos as they flew through the night sky, having left the building where they lived.
Philinos said, "If you're cold, press your hands against my neck for warmth. Don't touch the base of my wings."
'It tickles.'
"..." Gu Ning sheepishly moved her hand away.
She had left in such a hurry that she hadn't worn gloves. The area around the base of Philinos's wings was fluffy and warm, and she had unconsciously reached out to touch it.
Philinos saw her pull her hand back, not touching the base of his wings or placing it on his neck. After a moment of silence, he said, "Go ahead and touch them. Just keep your hand still. I'll let you feel them all you want once we've landed."
