A faint snort answered before Gladio's words did. "Always," he said. "If I didn't know any better, I'd think he likes getting squished."

He emerged bearing two bowls with a few of the best pieces of the cornbread he managed to hack off, and he was actually looking pretty damn proud of himself, too, as he set one of the bowls down in front of Nell.

"Bone apple teeth," he said, winking at her before going to take his own seat. "And, hey. Happy birthday."