Stavanger Bay hands getting cold

he was cold. she didn't want to admit that she preferred velen's company over his because, well, it simply wasn't true. but dalia found she felt more comfortable in his presence-- he was warm, and she squirm beneath his gaze. not in the same way that she did beneath ford's. just as she did now. he held her own, pressing into her and holding on as long as he could-- maybe too long. dalia couldn't look away, she didn't want to look away. she just wished she knew what he was thinking. velen never made her feel confused or lost. she always felt grounded around him. 

ford was just so... unique... she couldn't move past it-- couldn't move past the veil of mystery that he shrouded around himself. did he know?

but he looked away, seemingly remembering himself, and then handed her a compliment. her ears flicked, nose dipping in a gentle nod of gratitude. and then he agreed to help her, and her ears pricked back up. "thank you, ford," she said, shifting and clearing her throat. she didn't know what else to say, did he mean now? later? her chin tilted upwards. "i will listen to everything you have to teach me."