The distance I covered after separating from the now corrupted or whatever Evander was unknown to me, and while I definitely wanted to just keep moving eventually Valentina pinched my arm and asked me to pause for just a moment.
It was at that point that I remembered that she was actually just... in my arms, cradled against my chest and secured there by my arms and hands, which were just so much... 'more' than she was; her arms were thin and her hands small compared to my own, and it stirred something in me that I did not want to recognize whatsoever.
But it was impossible not to when I continued to hold her, not putting her down as I took a few deep breaths before saying "Whatever you wanna say, just say it. We need to get a move on soon, m'lady.", making her narrow her eyes ever so slightly.
