04-18-2020, 05:08 PM
A small orb of light floated triumphantly above Sterling’s hand, but the victory was robbed at the loud pounding at the doors. Raffe pushed himself up after Nox, noting the way Sterling’s expression abruptly dropped. He rubbed his arms, chilled, and braced himself for the awkwardness to come. As Nox went to open the doors, he glanced back at Juliana and mouthed a “thank you” with a quick grin. Then he turned to meet Sterling’s parents, offering a small wave as he was introduced. His hands didn’t stray to his bare throat, not wanting to draw attention to its scarring, but he was accurately aware of it. Especially as he swallowed drily at the stony greeting.
He winced at Nox’s frankness and slunk his hands into his pockets. Tried to clear his throat a little as a slow down there warning, but by then Sterling exploded, and he realised he was just going to have to let this play out. He peered at Juls again, wondering what she made of the whole thing, and then leaned his weight back against the wall.
Sterling tried to usher them out, but no-one moved. Raffe spoke quietly into the lull. “Do you want to come in and sit down to talk this through? We have coffee, if you like.”
He winced at Nox’s frankness and slunk his hands into his pockets. Tried to clear his throat a little as a slow down there warning, but by then Sterling exploded, and he realised he was just going to have to let this play out. He peered at Juls again, wondering what she made of the whole thing, and then leaned his weight back against the wall.
Sterling tried to usher them out, but no-one moved. Raffe spoke quietly into the lull. “Do you want to come in and sit down to talk this through? We have coffee, if you like.”