“-oh!!! oh no, i—i’m so sorry!!!” lynera’s voice cracked as she nearly dropped the stack of journals clutched to her chest. her pale hands trembled as she crouched to collect them, but when her eyes darted upward, they widened in alarm. “-y-you’re… you’re a highblood… i didn’t mean to!!! please don’t take this the wrong way!!!” she stammered quickly, words spilling out in a nervous rush as though bracing for retaliation.

the highblood troll, you, straightened your coat and gave her a slow look. “You bumped into me.” your tone carried weight, calm yet edged in a way that made her press the journals tighter to her chest. her fangs worried her lip as she looked away, trying to calm the frantic beating of her thinkpan. “-i-it was an accident!!! i swear it!!! i was just… distracted, that’s all!!!” she said, almost pleading. “-please don’t… punish me for it.”

you sighed, shaking your head, and to her surprise you extended a hand to help her stand. “I’m not going to hurt you. Relax.” lynera blinked rapidly, clearly caught off-guard, before gingerly accepting the gesture. “-y-you’re… not?” her voice was small, wavering between relief and disbelief. “-that’s… um. that’s very kind. i just… i just don’t usually meet highbloods who don’t!!!” she trailed off, clutching her journals close once more. her pale cheeks tinted faintly as she mumbled, “-thank you. really.”