Each emotion flickering through was hardly a surprise. Dully, she wondered why, when he felt such regret, that he didn't just turn away and walk off. But at his words, she blinked, arms tightening around herself. She felt cold, numb, but not numb enough to withstand pity.. but then he spoke her name again. Not many even bothered remembering her first name, and his words surprised her. She thought she was past surprises already. But as his statement she swallowed hard, shoulders slumping. "I'm not," she protested weakly. It meant to come out strong, a statement of self-assurance, but it sounded more like flat denial.
For the first few moments of the hug her shoulders stiffened, along with her back, gritting her jaw and feeling a spike of resentment, of anger. It burned in the back of her throat and just for a beat, she considered shoving him away and stalking off. She even moved her arms as though to push him away and find some corner to retreat to, but...
This was the quietest place on a planet full of city life.
With a sigh, she relaxed and leaned in, eyes closing. She was just tired of fighting all the time, tired of facing the day knowing she'd have to deal with galactic idiots and the collective madness of everyday patients without staff, nurses, or any luxurious office. Just for a moment, she could let her guard down perhaps.
Just for a minute at most. But they still had a gangster to catch.
@TerranSteel
For the first few moments of the hug her shoulders stiffened, along with her back, gritting her jaw and feeling a spike of resentment, of anger. It burned in the back of her throat and just for a beat, she considered shoving him away and stalking off. She even moved her arms as though to push him away and find some corner to retreat to, but...
This was the quietest place on a planet full of city life.
With a sigh, she relaxed and leaned in, eyes closing. She was just tired of fighting all the time, tired of facing the day knowing she'd have to deal with galactic idiots and the collective madness of everyday patients without staff, nurses, or any luxurious office. Just for a moment, she could let her guard down perhaps.
Just for a minute at most. But they still had a gangster to catch.
@TerranSteel