[Max appreciates the privacy more than she can put into words. She buries her face in Maurice's fur while he wiggles happily and tries to clamber all over her in his excitement, and she doesn't care even a little bit. The only thing she has in the world that truly loves her is this dog, and she's not letting him go for a solid two minutes, before she finally manages to find the strength to get up. If she has to wipe threatening tears from her eyes, well, no one saw it, and therefore it doesn't count.

Then she heads into the apartment to find Sarissa, Maurice at her heels, one of her hands resting lightly on his head as though she's worried if she stops touching him, he'll disappear. She feels - better, more collected. Capable of acting like the human being she pretends to be.]

I want to apologize for texting you earlier, it was thoughtless of me. It's only that I hadn't be sure if I could trust my voice, this whole process has left me rather unwell.

[Max hates showing vulnerability, but she understands that it's necessary sometimes.]