[ More stories. They are a beautiful distraction when one needs to fall into something like a dream... But she's awake right now, so why is she acting otherwise?

If he has cast some sort of spell, she can't find herself wishing very much to resist it, but somehow he only teases. Confused and all the more curious, she slowly draws her hands away. Some space, if she can only force herself to take a step back, might return proper air into her lungs again. When was the last time she took a breath? ]

Safe?

[ None of us are ever— ]

What is safer than home?

[ She glances again to his hands, now to his rolled sleeves, where she'll flick at the dirtied hem before slowly standing up and glancing down the path they were once following the lotus. It was not a dream. Likely innocent magic, or merely a turtle caught on the lotus stem. ]

Come by later, and I will fix up your tie. ...And your shirt. Perhaps you will be assured of my safety.