[He's...patronizing her? The kneejerk reaction to that thought crawls like a fog up the base of her spine, spiderwebs of it threatening to wrap her nerves in rejection. A kicked, abandoned dog hating the boot that struck it but wanting to cling to its owner's side for as long as it can. No, maybe the kindness is extended without strings attached.

It quells, hazy, and as Rahu's own emotions ebb like the tide, she starts to filter between what is her and what's being activated within her.] So this is one of the ways this place can toy with you, huh? [Her teeth and her ankles both chafe together in unison, one to quiet her mind and one to quiet her body.] What a pain.

[She's mollified by the knowledge that he'll stay. The turmoil in the distance doesn't fully go away, but it never does. Some things are simply a part of you - forever.]

... [Rahu presses her spare hand to her thigh. Her body is much more forthcoming than her words. It isn't all she needs, but -] It's all I can ask of you. You're already caught up in this, and I still can't be sure what's real.