[The girl's berating stings. It sticks right into the wound and pulls. It hits something distantly familiar too, a dozen old teardowns that he can feel under the surface like ridges in ice. Something familiar. He just needs to reach a little further.
Ryder steps up. Immediately, she's at his defence, and this is isn't familiar at all but he feels it just as sharply, breath catching. He knew she felt that way, but still, to hear it like this...
Teo reaches out. He reaches for her sleeve, tugging it gently between his fingers. It's the closest he can get to grasping her hand.]
It's okay...
[She knows him. That's what matters.
The other girl looks them both up and down once again. Her mouth presses.]
Hm. Fine. Your partner, your business. Let's get going then.
no subject
Ryder steps up. Immediately, she's at his defence, and this is isn't familiar at all but he feels it just as sharply, breath catching. He knew she felt that way, but still, to hear it like this...
Teo reaches out. He reaches for her sleeve, tugging it gently between his fingers. It's the closest he can get to grasping her hand.]
It's okay...
[She knows him. That's what matters.
The other girl looks them both up and down once again. Her mouth presses.]
Hm. Fine. Your partner, your business. Let's get going then.
[And then, just to Teo.]
It's Maddy, by the way.
[He glances between the two.]
Nice... to meet you...?