Ted couldn't help but be warmed up after that. Given that his aura, if you will, was all wrong, what was Ted to do about it? Lie, obviously. One could say that the better part of morality is pretending to be better than you are. Ted vigorously shook his head, and burst. "A pox on apologies! This shall be the last for the evening, anyway. Ahem! I'm sorry for being such a dreadful bore. We won! We've done it! True you may have done the lion's share but nonetheless, the castle is vanquished! I dare say if we should ever pay a second visit, it won't even be standing by the end of it!

Not only have we secured the double-edged elixir of life—we must remember its conditions—, but we've secured a magic emerald, and no small amount of desserts. Made off like bandits! We ought to celebrate. As I lack the funds for a proper celebration, I substitute this." He made a move for Koishi's arm, put his dance lessons to use, and spun for a twirl.

Whew! That must've made an allowance to squeeze out the last of Ted's melancholy. He started again, quieter. "As to the fairy/youkai business, well...all I know to say is that, I suppose, neither of us are as I wished. Not that my wishes ought to count for much, mind. But one thing I wish very much is to sleep like a log, after all that excitement. Are you satisfied with the divvying of spoils? I don't suppose you know anyone in dire straits who might need the crimson fluid?"