[She won't hold the stare, either. It's a lot for both of them. But she doesn't move away when Riley makes it clear she isn't either. Instead, she touches her snout to Riley's cheek again, a light brush of fur on feathers.]
...Mm. You're welcome.
[The words feel strange in her mouth; she's so much more used to giving reassurances and minimizing herself. But she doesn't want it to feel like she's just... brushing Riley off, or like she doesn't understand, or anything like that. This is important. As quiet and stilted as they are, as few words as they might use, this is important.]
And - th-thank you, too. I - mm. I don't - I've never talked - about that.
[Her voice is smaller than it should be, the meek little girl hiding behind the big bad wolf.]
no subject
...Mm. You're welcome.
[The words feel strange in her mouth; she's so much more used to giving reassurances and minimizing herself. But she doesn't want it to feel like she's just... brushing Riley off, or like she doesn't understand, or anything like that. This is important. As quiet and stilted as they are, as few words as they might use, this is important.]
And - th-thank you, too.
I - mm. I don't - I've never talked - about that.
[Her voice is smaller than it should be, the meek little girl hiding behind the big bad wolf.]
We never really told anyone.