"You're part of the group," Arden said simply, in a very 'and that is that' tone of voice. "We don't mind at all. You're supposed to be here with us."

Wait, no, that sounded bad.

"Not like, you've got no choice about it or anything," she added hastily. "I mean, you're free to do whatever, whenever, with whoever! But like...you're our friend. Which means you belong pretty much wherever we are, you know?"

Beat.

"Even if you're wrong about being suspended up in the air on thin cables and ropes," she added with a tease, which hopefully would make up for the awkward in the middle.