He blinked. The question, which was unexpected, was a redirect. His body, which had been moving toward the door, halted. His mind, which had been focused on Yuki, stuttered.
"What?" he said. "I... I do not have time. I need to..."
Seraphina sighed. The sound, which was theatrical and disappointed, was a hook. "Do I have to ask the professor? Just like Yuki?"
The name, which was a bait, was a trigger. Aldric's eyes, which had been on the door, snapped to Seraphina. The mention of Yuki, in the context of the professor, was a poke at the wound that was still open.
"You do not need to," he said. The words, which came out fast and tight, were the words of a man whose pride had been pricked. "I can help. Damn it. Sit down."
Seraphina sat. The motion, which was smooth and deliberate, was a performance. She opened her notebook. The page, which was blank, was a prop. She looked at him with the expression of a woman who needed help.
