Their pupils immediately dilate a bit more, like a cat's that has spotted something interesting, while they stare at Gyre. They feel like bullying him just a little bit more, until he suddenly shuts himself up in the middle of speaking. Right before clearing his throat and apologising. What?

They quickly get a feeling of what he was planning to say, and they step little closer, tail brushing affectionately at the bit of his leg that they had swatted a moment ago. "It's alright, I can handle those kind of jokes, I know you don't mean harm by it. But I appreciate the sentiment. It's sweet that you try to avoid saying something that might make me uncomfortable."