Kel perked up hopefully for a moment as Alina seemed to show a flicker of compassion and interest, but it was short lived as the warrior woman made it clear that whatever had moved her to ask the question, she cared less about his answer than about leaving him behind.
Like a kicked puppy he deflated at her unkind words and the open hostility in them, and he didn't even try to stop her as she made her way out. Rubbing his hands over his arms to try and soothe the goosebumps her disdain had left, he gave her plenty of time to walk away and clear the street before he slowly gathered up his belongings and followed, feet trudging and shoulders drooping until he reached the door.
Then he squared his shoulders, trying to shake off the sense of loneliness that pierced his chest more sharply than ever. It wouldn't do to show weakness in the streets of Haulani, he'd learned, and the bloody lip was already bad enough without adding more to it. Weapons in hand and eyes sharp for two-legged predators, he slipped out the door and headed for the edge of town.
{Finished}
Like a kicked puppy he deflated at her unkind words and the open hostility in them, and he didn't even try to stop her as she made her way out. Rubbing his hands over his arms to try and soothe the goosebumps her disdain had left, he gave her plenty of time to walk away and clear the street before he slowly gathered up his belongings and followed, feet trudging and shoulders drooping until he reached the door.
Then he squared his shoulders, trying to shake off the sense of loneliness that pierced his chest more sharply than ever. It wouldn't do to show weakness in the streets of Haulani, he'd learned, and the bloody lip was already bad enough without adding more to it. Weapons in hand and eyes sharp for two-legged predators, he slipped out the door and headed for the edge of town.
{Finished}
