[ En's expression twists, clearly conflicted. Torn between wanting to do the right thing, not knowing what the right thing is on a good day, not wanting to be bad. He's had enough of that last option, and he dreads the thought of being delegated to scary stories about a fearful creature who only brings villages to ruin. His ancestors died with that story in their bones; he's afraid of that being his legacy.

But more than that, even, he's fearful of ruining Monts. Of hurting her because of his bad decisions.

So he wraps his arms around her and hugs, tentatively at first. It's a strangely innocent gesture, reminiscent of a child holding onto the ends of his favorite blanket. ]

Fine. Don't leave me alone, okay. [ When he pulls back, he nods, amber-yellow eyes flicking up and down in barely-concealed worry. ] ...This place is creepy. So, I dunno. Uh.

[ He remembers what they did back at the river a while back, so: ] Wanna. Hold hands?

Or something! You don't hafta.