[there are flickers of the other man beneath this guise - a piercing intensity in his look, a slackening of his commitment to the cheer. but his voice is the strongest, most carrying thing.]
I keep telling her, this isn't mine. Some poor beast lost their head and I had to fight them off, wound them and make them back off so I could make a quick dash. But you're just a worrier, Miss Vasquez, aren't you?
[his eyes meet hers directly.]
I promise, I'm headed straight home to bar the door tonight.
[ The thickness of her brows only renders them more expressive, and now they're lowering into clear belligerence. Only ingrained caution holds back her tongue. That and the sound of a girl's laughter somewhere inside Garadia's property. ]
Yes, I am. If you're off to take care of yourself at home, then, Louis.
[ Not an idiot, she says without saying. Her mouth, being full already, lends to frowning with emphasis. Dantes may not appreciate the nosing in on his business; Paloma does not appreciate the bullying into playing along with his charade. ]
I am, promise. Nothing more strenuous than lighting a fire and resting near it for me. Until next time, then.
[it's fine for him, because he can make amends later. as long as he doesn't have them worry - heaven forbid one of them try to see what the problem was - he can stand it. he can patch himself up.]
[ You always leave me with more questions than I'd think to ever have, Paloma would like to say, recalling their bizarre and brief dialogue on what makes a ghost or demon. Now "Avenger" is leaving, and this new facade with it. ]
Next time, yeah. [ Smaller city than they'd think. She does not believe they'll go very long without their paths crossing again, and he'll leave probably just as quickly.
Stepping away first, Paloma convinces her mouth to relax into a tight smile. ]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
I keep telling her, this isn't mine. Some poor beast lost their head and I had to fight them off, wound them and make them back off so I could make a quick dash. But you're just a worrier, Miss Vasquez, aren't you?
[his eyes meet hers directly.]
I promise, I'm headed straight home to bar the door tonight.
[drop this subject. I'm giving you an excuse.]
no subject
Yes, I am. If you're off to take care of yourself at home, then, Louis.
[ Not an idiot, she says without saying. Her mouth, being full already, lends to frowning with emphasis. Dantes may not appreciate the nosing in on his business; Paloma does not appreciate the bullying into playing along with his charade. ]
no subject
[it's fine for him, because he can make amends later. as long as he doesn't have them worry - heaven forbid one of them try to see what the problem was - he can stand it. he can patch himself up.]
no subject
Next time, yeah. [ Smaller city than they'd think. She does not believe they'll go very long without their paths crossing again, and he'll leave probably just as quickly.
Stepping away first, Paloma convinces her mouth to relax into a tight smile. ]