week one - after trial

[sating]

[ As everyone is dispersing for the evening, Hannibal lingers for a moment to survey everyone. With the stress of the day, he imagines that there are quite a few people feeling stressed (to say the very least) by the day's events. Eventually, his attention stops on Sei and Xion, who had both been quite hopeful in their defenses of Tiara. Sei had asked to speak with him on medicine, and he considers going to her, but... That break in Xion's voice is fresher in his mind. It's also more vulnerable.

He follows her to the hall, then reaches out to place a hand on her shoulder once more. This one is lighter than before, but still kind. Even in such a simple gesture, there's worry. ]

Excuse me, Xion—

[ He hopes it isn't too rude to refer to her so casually when they hadn't been properly introduced, but she seemed fairly amenable to being casual in the first place. ]

Forgive me if I'm intruding... But would you like someone to talk to? I can gladly lend an ear. It's something like my duty, considering my line of work. [ He withdraws his hand, but nods to her lightly ] Though only if you would find it helpful. I don't wish to pry or push.

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[ceded]

[ The touch makes her jump.

But she's just startled. She makes no attempt to shake him off, instead looking up at him. She's actually starting to grow used to others touching her... before she got here, it was such a foreign sensation. Now, though, she's starting to associate it with comfort.

Though her expression had been ... somewhere between calm and blank, his offer clearly tugs at her frayed emotions. For a brief moment she looks teary-eyed again until she sniffs hard, trying to recapture her composure. ]

You'd really... do that for me? I ... I'd really like that, but ... I don't want to bother you.

[ xion he offered ]