run me like a river

Tal was madder than hail on the inside. If Soh hadn't taken the man down, the courier would have been tempted to find Anju and go looking for trouble - even if that made him a liar after what he'd told her before. But this wasn't about him, and just as he would have done if Bella or Boreal had been injured he focused on trying to help his friend before he indulged in his temper.

He could be plenty mad later. Right now, though, Soh needed him to be a friend, not an avenger.

It was a relief when she met his gaze, and he didn't realize he'd been holding his breath until a modicum of tension eased from her shoulders and he found himself letting out a soft puff of breath in return. Even if she was still upset, at least she wasn't afraid that he'd abandon her now. "It makes you a survivor," he said firmly. "An' a good student. That's all." He grimaced guiltily, reaching up with his free hand to rest his fingers on the nape of his neck, but he didn't rub at it for once. "Those distractions we practiced do hurt people. That was th'point. T'injure someone bad enough that they can't come after you when y'do run. And that's exactly what y'did, yeah?" He chewed his lip fiercely for a moment, then reached up to rest his hand on the arm of the chair.

"Look, y'can say 'no' if you're not ready but... when y'are ready, can I give you a hug?"