1580 replies and 29 files omitted.
>>161425He Smirks at him
and takes the water and heads back to the room
>>161426Tricky is leaning against the wall sitting on the bed, with Sorrel in her forelegs, her head buried in her chest fur. Trick looks at Dark Night as he enters.
>>161425Silver nods
"That is understandable. We will turn you into Equestrian noblemare yet, at your own pace."
>>161427"Am i interrupting something?"
>>161429Tricky shakes her head
>>161428Khoi closes her mouth, and looks to Silver with a grave expression.
>>161430Silver looks to her before looking at the road once more.
"What is wrong?"
>>161431Khoi does not volunteer to say anything.
>>161432“Yes.” She says, looking up to Dark Night, and then petting Sorrel
>>161433how does the mood in the room feel?
>>161434It’s not dissimilar from the last time Dark Star walked out, although Sorrel does not appear to be crying. Tricky does nog appear to be offended by Dark Night’s presence.
>>161435“Yes?” She asks
>>161437"If something is wrong, I would like you to tell me. Especially if it is between us. You do not build house atop broken foundation, after all."
>>161441Something made her uncomfortable at some point, but her expression is mostly neutral.
>>161442"Was it snuggling that is issue?"
>>161444"Hmm...you seemed to have grim reaction to my comment about turning you into noblemare. Was it that?"
>>161445“Well…” she turns her head
>>161446Aha!
"Talk to me about it. Is that not what you want to be?"
>>161447She lowers down in her seat.
“I don’t want to become… too much like that…”
>>161448"Go on, what is it you want to be, or avoid being?"
>>161449“I want to stay spiritual” she answers
>>161450Silver nods.
"It is wonderful part of you, your spirituality. But you do not think you could be both spiritual and noblemare?"
>>161451“I don’t know.” She answers
>>161452Silver looks at her.
"What is it you do not know? Talk to me."
>>161453“How…
Equestrian I will become.” She answers, looking over at Silver
>>161454"I assume by 'Equestrian' you mean more materialistic aspects. I do not know, but I look at you and I see mare with strongest moral conviction I have ever witnessed. I can not imagine way you could be corrupted like that in that way."
>>161456"I have faith in you, Khoi. If anything was to change, it would be that you would make more spiritual generation of noblemares."
>>161457She continues smiling, fairly warmly, looking over at Silver
>>161458And Silver smiles back warmly as he continues to drive them home.
"We really could use more people like you, Khoi."
>>161459“Thank you…”
After a moment, she places a hoof across, and touches the edge of Silver’s forelegs.
“And you are a good pony.”
>>161460Silver is a very happy pony when she says that. He can't help but grin from ear to ear. She can still feel how soft he is, even under his suit jacket.
"Thank you...thank you Khoi. My love."
>>161461She lowers her head and her ears, pulling her lips back to show teeth.
The beach house is west and a little north of their starting position.
>>161462And so the happy stallion drives the pair towards home. When they arrive and park, Silver gets out and helps his date from the car.
"I had fun tonight with you. Did you have fun, Khoi?"
>>161463She takes his hoof, and exits the vehicle.
“Yes…” she says, with some hesitation.
>>161464Silver keeps a hold of her hoof and steps close, face-to-face. He speaks to her in a low, sultry tone.
"Khoi...would you like me to show you how good date is ended?"
>>161465She moves her head back, and then tenses up, moving her whole body slightly back even as her hooves remain still. Her tail curls upwards, with the wavy dark brown hair of her tail extending far out past her honey yellow tail. The front of her lips are down, while her lips are pulled up in the back of her mouth.
After a moment of silence, she answers
“Yes.”
>>161466Silver smiles, and goes in slowly for a kiss. If Khoi wishes to stop this, now is the time.
>>161467Khoi, once again, neither actively participates nor resists, but is entirely passive. She does not lean in, and indeed is somewhat leaned back. Silver has to lean in further to make contact with the Kirin. What she is feeling can only be guessed.
>>161468Silver makes contact. The kiss isn't particularly advanced or messy, it's a simple lip-to-lip kiss, perfect for a first kiss and to judge her reaction.
>>161469She closes her eyes, and pulls up her lips as Silver makes contact. Silver can feel her soft, moist lips - they are rather thin, and cold on the outside. He can feel the edge of her teeth.
>>161470How is she reacting so far to it?
>>161471She has locked up into a passive state - frankly how she has reacted to most of Silver’s physical advances, from hoof holding to snuggling. She appears to be acquiescing.
>>161472Silver nibbles on her lip a little before pulling back. He gives her a concerned look.
"You do not like it?"
>>161473Her lips are pulled back in a smile. She seems to be blushing, and her eyes open, she looks at Silver. Her tail is now curled to her right side.
She blinks
“Uh, no?”
>>161474Silver tilts his head at her.
"...No that you do, or no that you do not?"
>>161475She blinks, and curls her tail down in an expression most suggesting confusion.
[1d20+3 = (6+3) = 9]>>161476Sense Motive: Well...what did she mean?
>>161477Kirin.exe has stopped working. She can’t process her emotions towards a kiss in the two seconds Silver gave her before explicitly asking.
>>161478Silver holds her hoof.
"Khoi...was that too far?"
>>161479hoof is heldShe looks away, and says meekly
“no…”
>>161480Silver feels a great relief from her response. He leans in closer, letting her feel his warm breath against her turned head.
"I am so glad to hear you say that. So, my love...would you like to continue?"
>>161481Her smile is wide, and shows all of her teeth, including her small fangs. Her eyes are reflective in the dim light from the surrounding houses.
“Continue what?”
>>161482"You know..." He looks at her with lidded eyes. "...kissing."
>>161483She opens her eyes wide, and closes her mouth before pulling her lips back into that same awkward smile
"Eheh..."
>>161484Silver gives her a wide, mischevious smile and a sultry look.
"Well..."
>>161485“I…” she blushes. “Let’s go inside.” She answers
>>161486He chuckles, and with a "Very well" leads her inside the house.
>>161487The Kirin takes his hoof and cautiously walks with him, up the steps, and into the house.
>>161488Once inside in the warmth of the house, he turns to his beautiful date.
"Thank you so much for wonderful date tonight, Khoi."
>>161489It is indeed warmer inside. There is a dim light coming out of the living room and the kitchen. Both the television and the radio are on. Khoi looks back to him with an awkward smile.
"You're welcome..."
>>161490"So...you want to continue, now?"
>>161491She looks down the hall, and then back to Silver.
“… Okay…”
>>161492Silver smiles, and leans in to continue their kiss right where they left off.
>>161493The kirin pulls her head back, but lets him make contact with her lips. After a few moments, she presses back.
>>161494Silver is almost surprised when she presses back, but he is more happy that she does so. He nibbles on her lip a little again, and slowly intensifies the kiss with a bit of lip smacking.
>>161495kirin lip is nibbledBut now, she pulls away with a smile and a blush
>>161496He smiles back at her warmly. There's a slight blush on his cheeks, and he looks at her with lidded eyes.
"How was it, now?"
>>161497"Different..." She says, he eyes darting up to him, and then away.
>>161498He uses his forehoof to slowly stroke her cheek.
"That was absolutely wonderful for your first kiss."
>>161499She has a wide smile, and moves her head a little away, and then down, as Silver strokes her cheeks, but she keeps her eyes on Silver. Her cheek is soft, much the same as the remainder of her fur. She does not say anything.
"Heh heh..."
>>161500"You know, we can kiss more in future, if you want. You look like you enjoyed it just as well as I did "
>>161502He smiles even wider, somehow, and nuzzles her right on the cheek.
"I do not suppose there is way we could go upstairs and cuddle?"
>>161503She lowers her head a little more
"Um... alright" She says
>>161504Silver smiles, though has a somewhat surprised look. He gives her a kiss on the cheek.
"Alright. Go ahead upstairs, I will be up in just bit."
>>161505Khoi freezes in place for a few moments, but then slowly moves to go upstairs.
>>161506"And Khoi: no intercourse. Do not worry."
>>161507She lowers her ears and looks back. Then she nods
"Okay"
>>161508As she goes upstairs, Silver goes into the living room to see what's up.
>>161509Something is playing on the television, as late night programing plays on the radio
Mint Marine walks up to Silver
"He's the one that started the fire!" Pointing to behind the couch
Paper Clipping's head sticks up just barely over the end of the couch
"No,
he started the fire!"
"You said it would be a good idea to up the dishes!"
"But you're the one that lit it!"
Mint Marine and Paper Clipping bicker
>>161510Silver is suddenly very confused and very worried. He puts on a stern look.
"Woah, wait, you said fire. What happened?"
>>161511Mala walks up from behind Silver
Mala:
"They all started it."
Paper Clipping dives in hiding behind the couch
Mint Marine turns to look back to Silver:
"We were mixing candies and we tried to mix them and it didn't work, so we used the stove to melt them, which worked but it singed the candies so it was stuck to the dishes, so Paper suggested just turning the stove up to get the rest off, and that caught it on fire which caused the griffin to get involved, and she got Mala and he got upset and then the dishes fell off...."
>>161512Silver continues to look at Mint, stern but not angry. Not yet, at least.
"Show me."
>>161513Mint Marine lowers his ears, his head, and his tail, and leads Silver into the Kitchen.
The Kitchen smells like burnt caramel. There are a few black plates on the stove, a number of wrappers and boxes on counters, and there on the floor, White Orchid trying to mop something off the floor. White Orchid looks up at Silver, wide eyed.
>>161514Silver looks at the mess, then at the guilty colts with him.
"You really should have asked for adult help before trying to...you said mix candles?"
>>161515Mint Marine:
“Well yeah, there was taffy and there were gummy bears and chocolate and we wanted to mix them but it wasn’t enough to just mix them in a bowl because the texture wasn’t right so we needed to melt it. And the unicorn is an adult and he said to do it so we did it.”
Paper Clipping from the other room:
“I didn’t say
to do it!”
>>161516"They were not enough on their own?"
He tilts his head at the colts.
>>161517White Orchid just has an incredibly wide smile, trying to place the mop behind him so it's it of sight from Silver, nevermind the fact that it's taller than him and clearly visible.
Mint Marine:
"Well they are, but wouldn't you rather have all of them all at once? I mean if they are good on their own they must be better together? Friendship and all, like Twilight taught us. Just with candy. We thought it would be tasty"
>>161518"Well, I suppose we need to clean all this up. Here, I will help."
He holds his hoof out for the mop.
>>161519White Orchid stands there for a moment, as if denying there is any mop. After a few moments, he stands aside, and with his mouth moves over the mop.
>>161520Silver takes the mop's handle in his magic.
"Thanks. Alright, now are plates cool enough to handle?"
>>161521“Yes…” White Orchid says, with a wide, toothy smile.
>>161522"Alright, I want you two to take dishes and put them in sink. Fill it with warm/hot water and squirt bit of soap in water. We will see if any of plates are salvagable by soaking them."
>>161523White Orchid:
“Okay…”
Mint Marine
“But we tried washing them…”
>>161524"Just humor me. Soaking can get much off that washing cannot."
>>161525Mint Marine
“Okay….”
White Orchid smiles unnaturally
>>161526Silver looks at White Orchid.
"What is wrong, White Orchid?"
>>161527“Nothing’s wrong.” White Orchid says, smiling
>>161528"Alright. When you two are finished, you need to clean oven top. I can help with that, show you two how to do so."
Silver starts mopping the floors.
>>161531White Orchid:
“Okay”
There is water all over the floor, and pieces of broken plate
>>161532Silver works to soak up the water, and picks up any pieces of broken plate he comes upon and throws them away.
>>161533And so, Silver starts cleaning up the kitchen. Mint Marine and White Orchid move the plates to the sink, starting to soak them.
>>161437Did she seem to be offended last time?
>>161534"I know Clip is adult, but it may be good idea in future to have someone who knows what to do be supervising. Clip is still young and learning, just like you two."
>>161537"The griffin didn't say anything..." White Orchid remarks
>>161536>>161437"I Got the Water."
He Says as he carefully walks over
>>161539Tricky holds out a hoof to take some water.
>>161538"Hmm...anyways, for future those plates are not safe for oven. We have cast iron pots that are, if you want to cook."
>>161541She takes it, and takes a sip. Sorrel moves her head up, looks around, and then she reaches out a hoof for a cup.
>>161542Mint Marine:
"Okay..."
White Orchid:
"We can cook in the oven?"
>>161543"Well, maybe with help until you get more experienced with cooking. But yes. What you could have done was use cast iron pan on stovetop to melt candies."
>>161544White Orchid nods
"Okay, I'll remember that."
>>161545"What you could have done was melt chocolate, and then dip other candies in that."
>>161546White Orchid's ears twitch
"... Oh... heh heh..."
>>161547"Just remember to have adult supervision next time. You could have caused serious fire, or worse, gotten hurt."
Silver continues to clean.
>>161548"Okay, Mr. Sword." White Orchid answers
The floor is slowly cleaned, and the counters cleaned up. The plates will take a long time to soak.
>>161549"'Mr. Sword'? You can just call me Silver, little ones."
He looks at the work they did.
"Alright, now to just let them soak. Go ahead and have fun, colts. Just...try not to burn down house, this time."
He smiles at them, making it clear it's half a joke.
>>161543Dark Night passes the other glass to her
>>161550“Okay.”
White Orchid moves his tail side to side, as does Mint Marine.
The ponies finish picking the items up.
>>161551Sorrel takes it, and leans the glass. Tricky moves her hoof to hold it up so as to keep it from spilling. Both mares take drinks from the glasses.
>>161552When finished, Silver goes up to Khoi's room.
>>161552"Is There anything else you girls need?"
>>161558>>161376"Hey. you're here."
Amber hears, and then presumably sees, Erich standing next to her on the platform.
>>161559Amber turns with surprise, albeit pleasant surprise. "You're here. How did you make it?"
>>161560“Snuck away from those bastards after the one started shooting. Is the train here?”
>>161561"Not yet, but in about twenty minutes. I was lucky to get away by automobile, and I don't think I was followed. Do you have a ticket?"
>>161562“So that’s where the car went” he looks a little displeased.
“No, I don’t have one.”
>>161563"It's in front. I don't want to hold onto it, no doubt they know it's gone and will be looking for it."
>>161564“Oh we’ll add that to the list of problems. Whatever, in twenty minutes we’ll be done with this place. Helder snuck out with me. I don’t know who else made it
>>161565"I'm glad you two made it out, at least. Haven't you money with which to buy a ticket?"
>>161566Erich
“No, I think I can sneak along.”
Helder:
“Yes, I have money,” he answers
>>161567Amber asks Erich, "Isn't it better to have a ticket? If you're found you'll attract less suspicion."
>>161568“Well yeah, but it’s just being on a train without a ticket.” He pauses. “Did they ask for a name when you bought the ticket?”
>>161570“Well then I’ll buy a ticket. Helder, can I borrow some money?”
Erich owes Amber probably at least a hundred fractal guilders.
Helder groans, rolls his eyes, and pulls money out of his pocket, giving it to Erich.
Helder comments:
“I wonder how they knew where we were. And if we are safe as soon as we leave Katerin, or if they will come for us anywhere in the Empire.”
>>161571"They must have seen us leave the palace and followed, or possibly even planted a spy in Helm's company…I don't think we'll be safe until we leave the Empire. Griffenheim is a railroad hub and they might telegraph an alert for us there," Amber answers in a low voice.
>>161572Helder nods
"It's a good thing you are wearing that's servants uniform. Maybe that will knock them off our trail. I would not be surprised if they check trains at the border." He says
>>161573"If I'm lucky they think I'm a cook who got scared and ran away. We can't be too careful, though."
>>161574"Alright... Train to Griffinhiem, then to Hellquill..." Helder says, looking down
>>161575"I'm glad you were able to afford tickets. Otherwise I would have to play more music, and the griffons around here are especially stingy."
>>161576"Oh, that's most everywhere, really." He says. "Is that our train?"
A steam engine pulling a number of green coach cars pulls into the station, with its loud chugging sounds, and releasing steam that is caught by some of the cover over the platform, slowly covering the platform in a fog.
>>161577"It should be, it's on time. Do you think we should be seated together, or apart so we're harder to distinguish?"
>>161578“Nearish. Let’s not lose sight of each other.”
He is silent for some seconds.
“Speaking of which… Is that Helm?” He looks over to the right on the platform.
And then from out of the fog created by the locomotive steam, Amber sees Helm walking towards them.
“Hello.” He starts
>>161579"Helm, how on Griffonia…."
Amber blinks. "You went right up to the police to talk with them. Why are you not in their clutches?"
>>161580"Things got a bit tense, yes, but you'd be amazed at how reasonable griffins can be if given the right incentives." He says
>>161581"What did you offer them?" If griffons could raise eyebrows, Amber would be doing that now.
>>161582"Well, with a few calm words I offered a carrot and a stick. You know how susceptible to incentives public servants are,
especially around here."
>>161583There is no way he got away from a high-priority police raid
that easily, especially not after shots were fired.
"What did you offer? And how many of your guests were taken into custody?" Amber asks politely but grimly.
>>161584"Money to start, and promised favors. My family still carries weight around here after all. As for the others, I don't know how many because I could not see all. Weisner I know was taken, as was Kurzer Schnabel. I couldn't do everything, not with bullets flying. The professor was also taken. But he's a Yale resident, they will simply send him back."
>>161585"It was wise for us to take our leave, then. What happened with Mason? I saw him with a gun before I left."
>>161586"He retreated and was pursued. Things got silent quickly. Maybe he was shot, maybe he surrendered. Or maybe he slipped away. The officers that followed him did not come back to me."
>>161587"Just because you were released doesn't mean you aren't being watched, possibly to lead authorities to other 'persons of interest.' It's too risky for us to be seen with you."
>>161588He opens his mouth in offense.
“Well I could say the same of you, couldn’t I? Aren’t we all going to the same destination? We have more resources and protection together.”
>>161589"The difference being that Erich, Helder and I all snuck out without the police knowing. You were allowed to leave so they may be following you this very moment. They are just as capable of arresting four of us as they can arrest one."
>>161590“And you’re sure none of you are being followed how?” He says, turning his head.
>>161591"No, I can't say for sure…I just think it's less likely," Amber replies.
>>161592Helm is definitely offended, but it’s Amber's move
>>161593"Nonetheless…you did take a major risk by harboring us and it cost you. We owe you for that and the only way I can think of repaying you is by bringing you along with us."
>>161553The lights are on and the door is open. Khoi lays down on her belly, her body fairly elongated along the bed. Her tail and it’s long brown hair extends across the bed, while her mane is still up. She had taken her dress off, and Silver can see the shiny copper-colored scales that extend across her back. She is evidently wearing a beige underwear that almost blends into her natural colors. Her forelegs extend in front of her and her hooves are off of the bed. Her horn lights up, as she uses her magic to comb her mane with a black comb. Her exirsssion is completely neutral as she watches Silver enter the room.
>>161594“Thank you” he says, easing up.
“I still miss those statues…”
>>161595Silver smiles at the small, lithe kirin, appreciating her shiny copper scales, short golden fur, and dark floof. The underwear is odd to the Severyanan, who has always slept in the nude, but he pays no mind to it.
"This is proof, that dress would be nothing without your beauty, Khoi."
He steps inside the room, and closes the door behind him (unless she says something).
>>161597She definitely widens her eyes and moves her head back. She curls her tail.
>>161598"So, are you ready to be swept off to cuddleland? Or do you not wish too?"
>>161599Khoi lowers her ears halfway-down, has a small smile that shows her fangs, and moves her forelegs closer to her body.
“Eh heh…”
>>161600He smiles wider at the display, and almost lets out an involuntary d'awwww. He takes it as a "yes", and begins to undress himself from his suit, down to the nude. Perhaps the kirin may find it to be extraordinarily lewd to be undressing himself in front of a young mare, considering she is currently wearing underwear. Perhaps she considers it normal as wearing no clothes is their natural state. Silver does not know, all that is known is that he seems to consider it normal and pays it no mind as he dresses down, giving Khoi an unobstructed view of his extraordinary floof and large frame, which may be a little intimidating in this context and situation even if he remains in a friendly disposition.
>>161601The Kirin is definitely intimidated, or otherwise scared, curling her tail close to her as she lowers her head to the bed. She watches Silver as he undresses.
>>161602As he drops his pants and steps out of them, the now-fully undressed unicorn stands before her in all of his nude glory. Thank goodness he has the willpower to keep certain body parts tucked away, for the sheer floofiness of Silver uncontained by his suit is already enough for the poor kirin. She's already seen him naked before, but in the current context it feels just slightly different. From the dark grey dorsal stripe running down his back to the cutie mark of a sword in mid-swing, she is more acutely aware right now of certain details of his person.
The naked floofy unicorn, once undressed, now trots over to her bed, sitting down on it and causing her to feel it shift slightly from his muscular weight. He smiles kindly at the scared kirin.
"There is no need to be afraid. I do not bite." He mutters under his breath "much...".
>>161604She turns her head, but keeps it low. She looks up to him, but hasn’t warmed up to the situation much at all.
>>161605Silver decides to go slow, and warm her up just a little more before proceding.
"It is lovely underwear you are wearing. Did you buy it along with your dress?"
>>161606“Yes.” Her legs are tucked under her
>>161607"Is it normal in Ngua Nam to wear underwear to bed? Or is it just comfortable to wear?"
Silver is still sitting up on the bed, turned slightly towards Khoi. She still can't see anything inappropriate, thank goodness.
>>161608“It’s for the dress…” she says meekly
>>161609"Ah, okay then. Is it comfortable, though? It looks nice."
>>161610“Yes…” she says, still glued to the bed
>>161611He looks down at the kirin's copper-colored scales.
"Do you polish your scales? They look very shiny."
>>161613Silver tilts his head at the kirin, giving her a confused look.
"...are you genuinely that afraid of me?"
>>161614She blinks, and looks up at Silver with her magenta eyes
>>161615Silver gives her a small smile, and reaches out a forehoof to her.
"I would never do anything to hurt you, Khoi, or violate your trust and honor. You do not need to fear me. Come, sit with me."
>>161616She raises her head up, and moves her forelegs out. She blinks, and then offers her hoof to Silver.
>>161617Silver takes it in his own, and gently helps her into a sitting position. With a bit of adjustment in their sitting positions, the pair is now sitting next to each other, the naked unicorn and the kirin in underwear. He gives her a warm smile.
"See? I do not bite."
He looks over at the comb she was using to groom her mane, and points to it.
"Would you like me to comb your mane? I have some experience taking care of female hair."
>>161618“Okay…” she says, looking down at the comb
>>161619Silver nods, and takes the comb. He positions himself to sit behind Khoi for the best view of his work, and begins to comb through her hair. Whatever she may have expected him to be like, he is surprisingly gentle with her in how he attempts to keep from hurting her, only using enough strength to work out any tangles he finds. The amount of work and care she put in already makes his job especially easy, but still. Khoi can feel that he's doing a good job on her.
>>161620There are no tangoes to be found. Khoi combed out all of them before the date, and then any that developed during the date while waiting on Silver to come upstairs. Her mane is long and wavy, though it appears to have been curled artificially for the date.
>>161621"Hmm...wait just moment, Khoi."
Silver gets up and out of the bed, leaving the room for just a minute before returning with a brush in his possession. With a "Here we go," Silver returns back to his sitting position behind Khoi, and begins to brush her mane. More than detangling, the brushing does a better job at massaging her scalp, letting him idly brush away as he spends time with Khoi on the bed.
As he brushes, he speaks to the kirin. "I imagine this is all very new to you, and somewhat scary. Maybe even not exactly what you thought relationship would be like?"
>>161622The Kirin is brushie brushiedSilver’s brushing has the effect of undoing the curls, and straightening out her mane.
“Relationship?”
>>161624Hmm...perhaps they can re-add the curls later on, if Khoi wishes.
"You know, this fledgling thing that has formed between us as of late, only now truly blooming from our date tonight. Relationship. I do not know what you expected, but something tells me this is at least slightly different from that."
>>161625"What?" She seems surprised, but then speaks,
"I wouldn't say there is anything now. I have made no vows to you nor you to me. You have made no promise. This is... well, like a test."
>>161627"Well, that is certainly one way to describe this." Silver lets out a fairly hearty chuckle. "What are you testing? What relationship would be like? What
we would be like?"
>>161628"Have I not been clear? Marriage. Husband and wife. Mother and father of children, together in a household."
>>161629"I know of all of that already. But is there anything else you are testing? There is more to relationships than
just marriage and foal-rearing."
>>161630"It is a test of entering into those two types of relationships. What other relationships would I be testing?"
>>161631Silver leans over to look at her face as he continues the brushie brushies.
"Well, what do you think keeps marriages and relationships together when mare is already pregnant, or after both partners have become barren?"
>>161632"Duty. Duty of each to the other, by nature, spirit, and law."
>>161633"Well, yes. But it is also this. These moments of talking with each other, doing things together, and enjoying each others company that keeps marriages together. Or, at least, it is what keeps us from having miserable relationships."
>>161634She blinks, and her lips close
"What do you mean?"