One waits a long moment until he's sure she's gone.

"Don't- I don't wanna- get you in trouble?"

"Not in trouble. She's not mad."

"...But you're...hiding from her?"

"Staying with you." He reaches out to preen the top of One's head again.

"-Oh." One is quiet for a moment, starting to melt a little under Phantasm's ministrations. "I- She won't be mad?"

"She won't be mad." Preen preen. "She likes you. She's worried."

One is quiet, slowly turning into a purring puddle, and thinking. "I- But I'm fine?"

"You aren't eating enough." He punctuates this with a fluff of his head-feathers. "It'll make you sick."

Slightly startled twitch. "I- but- I've never- That's what I've always eaten?"

"It's not enough." He thinks for a moment. "Feel my back."

One is still for a moment, and then one paw, very cautiously and hesitantly feels along Phantasm's back.

It's not bony, like his, but padded out with muscle and a little bit of fat.

"Feels different?"

One cocks his head, and nods a little. "Yes?"

"Supposed to be like that."

"Oh." Prods a little at himself, and how bony he is. "I- didn't know? I- It felt like enough?"

He trills to himself. "Might be something else wrong."

One shakes his head slightly. "Feel fine?"

"I dunno."

One flops down a little again, humming quietly, a little uncertainly.

"Can ask Deka. But - faster if you talk to her." Preen preen. "Won't hurt you, I promise."

One shakes his head. "I- he'll be mad."

"About what?" He snuggles back up.

"...Wouldn't want me to disturb her."

He drapes his wing over One again. "He asked her to help you. It's her job."

One thinks about it for a moment. "I- I'll think- think about it?"