[ She reaches for his hand, and the muscles flex down his arm, transmitting into motion before he can control them. Gently, he folds his palm across hers, thumb circling the pulse point -- habit and tenderness melding together -- before he lets their fingers curl together. He doesn't sit. He stays standing, while the room ripples perceptibly at the edges, her grip a warm anchor. ]
[ At her question, he frowns. There is a buzz in his ears; like fluttering moths, or maybe his own disconnected thoughts. ]
My neighbors...
[ Dubiously, he flicks his gaze toward the squares of glossy jelly. Then, with a plodding deliberation, it clicks. ]
...Oh...
[ Try it with condensed milk and tea. It will help you unwind. Their exact words, though he hadn't given it much consideration at the time. He knew their routines, their backgrounds; nothing about them set off his radar. They didn't seem likely to poison him. ]
[ But offer him loaded sweets with a well-meaning but poorly-timed generosity? Oh yes. ]
no subject
[ At her question, he frowns. There is a buzz in his ears; like fluttering moths, or maybe his own disconnected thoughts. ]
My neighbors...
[ Dubiously, he flicks his gaze toward the squares of glossy jelly. Then, with a plodding deliberation, it clicks. ]
...Oh...
[ Try it with condensed milk and tea. It will help you unwind. Their exact words, though he hadn't given it much consideration at the time. He knew their routines, their backgrounds; nothing about them set off his radar. They didn't seem likely to poison him. ]
[ But offer him loaded sweets with a well-meaning but poorly-timed generosity? Oh yes. ]