Some of those bit pillows were, in fact, actual bits, now buzzing in aggravation over having their nest disturbed. They didn't swarm him, not really, but they did orbit around where he'd vanished into the heap, bouncing 'no's back and forth between themselves.

Thela, who was perched on a cushion nearby, mostly just watching the goings-on, sighed: "Play nice." It was fairly obvious that she was chiding them and not him, though if he couldn't see her, it might be more difficult to tell.