The question had been sarcastic in her head and came out plain through her mouth. Guts takes it as sincere. Lashan sees the slight, unfamiliar smile and feels her heart twist in her chest.

Gruffly, annoyed with herself, she says, "That's the best I can ask for, I suppose," and leaves which statement she's responding to unsaid.

It's a relief to know that he still has fun in him and knows how to pull his punches enough to roughhouse instead of treating every altercation like it's life or death. She hadn't expected this half-feral boy-man to know about headlocking someone to mess with their hair. Maybe she's too cynical about him. Or not cynical enough, since he's going to march himself right back into other peoples' wars once he leaves. She shouldn't worry herself about the future of someone whose face she likely won't see again.

"You should clean off enough to cover up before you give more girls a complex. And go with our firebug back to the infirmary for at least long enough to clean that out and so she can get fresh salve. Aumin's out on a housecall. The apothecary," she clarifies dryly. "I'll send Vena after you. Gotta stay here a bit longer." Gotta underline her girls' authority with their peers while also not letting it go to their heads, that sort of thing.