"She doesn't know how to be a daemon, and she doesn't like being part of somebody else, because Sherlocks have problems with thinking the point of them is to help somebody else," says Path, nuzzling back.
"Oh," says Petaal. "I want to hug her. Next time she's out, somebody should tell me so I can hug her."
"I upset her because I'm still just a touch more relaxed around people with daemons than without, and this constitutes a reason for her to exist, and that's bad," says Isabella.
"She believes her existence is a net loss, so anything that weighs in on the positive side complicates the issue," says Sherlock. "And she doesn't want to stop existing and have that make you less comfortable around me, because you are my friend."
"I'm not uncomfortable with you. Just, there's that little tickle of something's missing. Was, before, now I can just imagine you're separated and she's in the next room on the relevant level of cognition."
"I am not sure it is the sort of thing you need to be sorry for. But thank you."
"Kas doesn't really have that problem, he's been more even-keeled about daemonless people from the start," says Isabella, reaching out to touch Kas's arm.
Path says, "I wasn't very good at helping Steph be a daemon. Maybe Petaal could do it better."
"I can try!" says Petaal, cuddling up to Path while Kas kisses Isabella some more.
"If she ever comes out again," says Path gloomily, fluffing up and snuggling closer.
"Maybe she'll feel better when you get home," suggests Isabella.
"...I don't want to exacerbate the problem, but it would probably upset Juliet if she found out Steph existed and she never got to meet her."
There is a knock at the window. A witch in a crown of live black-eyed-Susan-vine is hovering on her cloudpine there. "Yoo-hoo," she says, muffled by the glass. There's a pardalote daemon perched on her knee, who hops up and down in a friendly sort of way.
Isabella turns toward the window.
"...Hello, Tianetta Nimah!" she says. "I wasn't expecting you!"
"Just passing through," replies Tianetta Nimah. "Let me in."
Isabella hesitates, but she gets up and goes towards the window. [Sherlock, I am so, so sorry to ask, but if she or Hendasamon shows the least bit of interest in you - could you pretend that Steph was under the bed - I'm so sorry.]
Sherlock remains outwardly calm, but his response over brainphone is an extended snarl.
Isabella opens the window, not enough to let the witch in, but Hendasamon is tiny and zips inside. He investigates Petaal and Path first.
"I'm so sorry, Tianetta Nimah, this isn't really the best time," Isabella says.
"I'll owe you a favor," says Tianetta Nimah lightly. "I don't want to have to come back, and I want to talk about those spellcircles."
"I..."