Okay, but I'd dump water on a burning building without being told to.

That was just an example. Sometimes crises and the things that need to be done to manage them are less obvious than a fire and a bucket of water.

I know. If Nelyo said to me 'leave the city tonight without talking to anyone and meet me at the house' I'd probably go. But I'd be grumpy about it and I'd be going in spite of having been ordered.

That's fair.

If holding hands is okay and kissing isn't where does hugging fall on the scale of public displays of affection?

Hugging's fine, people'd hug friends or family so it's not romantic.

True enough! Hug.

Actually I take that back, feels pretty romantic.

The romanticness of hugs is highly context-dependent.

I love you.

I loooove you.

He can't think of any reason to let go until Imliss gets sick of them.

Well, she brought a book and a pair of gloves, and they're not doing anything that she actually cares if she witnesses or not, so that's gonna take a while.

Good! More hugs.

Hugs and telepathically transmitted affection.

They really need a house.

They were walking to an architects' place before they got distracted, weren't they?

Right! That is a thing, which they were doing.

Probably qualifies as a reason to unhug.

Off to the architect! They present Maitimo's present and she is appropriately flattered and she's happy to draw up plans for them, what are they looking for?

Idaia cheerfully relates architecture opinions!

It's going to be such a pretty house!

It really is! More hugs since currently inasfar as accomplishing things is happening it does not involve forward locomotion.

The architect looks indulgently amused and asks more questions and wants to know if they've already claimed a plot of land.

Yep!

Great! Then plans can be ready in a week, they can stop by in three days to consult on the progress and suggest revisions.