[The air grew thick, that dread and fear crawled right on out of the gutter. For someone trying very hard to be sensible and sensitive, the topic was just too sensitive. Trying to avoid it in favor of space, she was so sure that was what she wanted. It felt the most right to her. She DID want it, and if she were to just convey that she wanted nothing more than to be that support...then maybe this wouldn't be so bad.

But then her fear felt like it was coming alive, and she hated it. Riye had to get control back.]

I just figured maybe you needed a bit of time, that's all. Catching up and trying to sort things out. The last thing I wanted to do was get in the middle of it.