[ she hums in agreement—bad taste is one way of putting it. admittedly, she would say the same; it would be a cold day in hell before mercedes actually says she hates something out loud, but it's close enough.

her gaze follows the path of his fingertips and her expression softens. ]

Yes. [ wryly, ] They'd tried to teach me swordsmanship, but I'm very clumsy. I'd sooner hurt myself before anyone else.

[ but anyway. ]

What about you? What do you think of this place?