I can survive well enough on my own
The blunt admission was surprising, but Elizabeth didn't let it show, granting him a nod of her head in sympathetic understanding. She wouldn't minimize the loss or attempt at shallow apologies. "I see. That's a small blessing." Sometimes, support and validation were all that people need.
Elizabeth nearly tripped over the next string of bells at Hadama's wording (and pausing), a vibrant blush splattering across her pale skin. Even if he hadn't read it, he obviously knew what kind of book it was. Clearing her throat, she tried to come up with an 'insightful' view of the steamy novel. "I - um - thought the concept of manifesting presented realities was really interesting. That no matter how much people 'pretend,' there's always an ounce of truth to it, or there eventually will be." She pretended like the rest of the book didn't exist, like maybe it was a scientific study of relationships and not her own fantasies.
With the door protected, she moved to the window, offering the Mer King the other end of the strand while simultaneously trying to avoid eye contact. Maybe a change of topic would help? Lifting her end with magic, Elizabeth grabbed another set of nails. "Does the Underwater City have ample protection? Or would you like to take some bells home?" Her smile was playful, knowing full well that they wouldn't do much good under the water's surface.
Elizabeth nearly tripped over the next string of bells at Hadama's wording (and pausing), a vibrant blush splattering across her pale skin. Even if he hadn't read it, he obviously knew what kind of book it was. Clearing her throat, she tried to come up with an 'insightful' view of the steamy novel. "I - um - thought the concept of manifesting presented realities was really interesting. That no matter how much people 'pretend,' there's always an ounce of truth to it, or there eventually will be." She pretended like the rest of the book didn't exist, like maybe it was a scientific study of relationships and not her own fantasies.
With the door protected, she moved to the window, offering the Mer King the other end of the strand while simultaneously trying to avoid eye contact. Maybe a change of topic would help? Lifting her end with magic, Elizabeth grabbed another set of nails. "Does the Underwater City have ample protection? Or would you like to take some bells home?" Her smile was playful, knowing full well that they wouldn't do much good under the water's surface.
Elizabeth
if given the proper reading material
