Volanz shrank back against the tree even further, spine to bark, at the response. Oh no. It was even worse than being stabbed.

"I-!" he stammered, his alarm clear on his face, then he mastered himself.

"...Okay. I thought you were going to kill me, is all. You don't have to help me."

Good grief, someone had been trying to be nice to him and he couldn't even do having someone be nice to him right.

"...But I am sorry I hit you in the face."