"Hey, beautiful. Welcome back," he said with a smirk tugging at his lips despite the tension of the situation. "What were you up to?"
From his back, Ys's playful voice responded, her tone brimming with smug satisfaction. "Oh, nothing much... just taking care of a little pest problem."
Rex's eyes narrowed, but there was a hint of amusement in his gaze. "I trust you didn't go too overboard?"
Ys's voice hummed in his ear, full of mischief. "Me? Overboard? Never, darling. I simply acquired a new little pet. Someone who might prove useful to us later on."
Rex shook his head with a quiet chuckle. "Just make sure she doesn't get in the way."
"Oh, don't worry," Ys replied, her voice dropping to a purr. "She'll be very well-behaved."