[ it's either being cradled or being slung over his shoulder, and at least this way he can keep a better eye on Alphinaud's everything rather than his legs. also, he has the benefit of not getting demolished by a very quickly wagging tail, excited for some reason while the rest of him seems a lot less... enthused? or at least playing the part of a somewhat skeptical puppy. ]

Impossible. What if I let you go and you floated off into space? [ just a hypothetical situation. nothing more. ] Once we get into ankle high water, I'll let you down. You're pretty short, after all, and...

[ oh. so he wasn't wrong. he is kind-of Alisaie, in the same way that she would be kind-of Alphinaud. ]

... really! You don't say. But now that I get a better look?

[ he stops, lowers his head. sniffs. ]

Yeah, okay. You're not lying.