In fact, it feels like he's flinching. Soft lips over hers hardened by a full-body grimace. The tension is palpable, but only natural. She'd never expect him to reciprocate anything. Why would he? Not only is he an atrocious liar, he's not half so open-hearted as his dopey face might suggest. And really, it's Toko. There was no line of suitors waiting to court her favour. Never had been, never will be. Even from galaxies far far away, there's expectations about what a cute girl should and shouldn't be. Toko will never tick enough boxes to quicken anyone's pulse.
Outside of fear. That's a given.
Then he pulls her off. She can set her heels on the floor. Her hands stay splayed without anything to hold, aloft in his grip. She's going red, red, red in the face, but she's dumb enough to have kept facing him. She opens her eyes to find him gobsmacked.
Not revolted. Just stunned.
He says her name.
She thrusts her head to the side. He's still got her wrists but she can sort of hide her face in her own shoulder. A bit of his arm. They're standing close enough that she can shield herself from him and the Madame in one swoop.
Actually she's forgotten about the woman until now, her ears registering the spluttering in rising volume now that her own shock is abating.]
So...so you see! [Why is her voice pinching up? It's rising in pitch with every word.] We're...p-promised. To one another...please. Leave him alone.
[The Madame, blushing herself at such brazen displays, finally, blissfully lets go of Cal's arm. Toko's still holding back tremors and ducking her face out of sight.]
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In fact, it feels like he's flinching. Soft lips over hers hardened by a full-body grimace. The tension is palpable, but only natural. She'd never expect him to reciprocate anything. Why would he? Not only is he an atrocious liar, he's not half so open-hearted as his dopey face might suggest. And really, it's Toko. There was no line of suitors waiting to court her favour. Never had been, never will be. Even from galaxies far far away, there's expectations about what a cute girl should and shouldn't be. Toko will never tick enough boxes to quicken anyone's pulse.
Outside of fear. That's a given.
Then he pulls her off. She can set her heels on the floor. Her hands stay splayed without anything to hold, aloft in his grip. She's going red, red, red in the face, but she's dumb enough to have kept facing him. She opens her eyes to find him gobsmacked.
Not revolted. Just stunned.
He says her name.
She thrusts her head to the side. He's still got her wrists but she can sort of hide her face in her own shoulder. A bit of his arm. They're standing close enough that she can shield herself from him and the Madame in one swoop.
Actually she's forgotten about the woman until now, her ears registering the spluttering in rising volume now that her own shock is abating.]
So...so you see! [Why is her voice pinching up? It's rising in pitch with every word.] We're...p-promised. To one another...please. Leave him alone.
[The Madame, blushing herself at such brazen displays, finally, blissfully lets go of Cal's arm. Toko's still holding back tremors and ducking her face out of sight.]