Oh, it makes no sense, promise. The body itself should be out, that's how it works in systems in real life. But that's not how these specific weird guys work.

"Oh -"

Steven winces in deep humiliation.

"Oh, I'm so sorry. Oh, thank you, that's ... very kind."

He hauls himself up, sways on his feet, looks around in complete bafflement.

"Am I ... still on the Barge? Oh, please tell me we're not at port, I can't have done it again."

He covers his own mouth before he says more. Shit. SHIT.

He's not panicking yet, but there's a kind of threat of panic-tears at the back of his throat. Holy shit, don't cry in front of Barge people, they're magical and cool. They can't know he's got something really wrong with him, they won't let him warden.

"Fine," he squeaks. "Really good, just - fine. Just doing alright, promise, thanks mate."