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( hands raise up in faux-surrender for a moment before dropping to her sides once again , still grinning . )
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i’ll drop the formalities* , but politeness is the bare minimum ! and , in that case , ‘ katherine ’ will suffice too .
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let me be your dog. (i promise to be good this time; i promise to only bite at your call.) let me be your dog. (we don't have to go anywhere, just let me stay by your side. just a minute more is enough; time is infinite in dog years.) let me be your dog.
no need for the politeness, miss valencourt. [he scratches behind an ear, like a dog with an itch on their fur.] i already told you, just 'lou' suffices.
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( an amused sound leaves her , a huff of a laugh through her nose as she briefly shuts her eyes and shakes her head . )
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not gawking , father , just … observing !
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( taking note of his teeth in the split second she can ; nothing stuck in them , but their sharpness is curious —— almost reminding her of her own . )
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oh— no , not at all , my apologies . i’ve been told that i can get a bit … stare-y , at times ?
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[lou becomes fixated on the many directions of her eyes. what is she picking up on him? the smell of wet dog? the twitches and fidgets?]
sorry, uh— do i have something in my teeth?
[he pulls at his upper lip, and, for a split second, almost has... fangs.]
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london , yes ! if you haven’t been before , i think it is worth the visit .
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( a nod of her head , eyes briefly looking the other up and down once again —— she too feels a strange similarity between them , something she cannot place her finger on … )
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[if he were to rack his brain on the subject, lou cannot recall the last time he was so far off his game. what is it with this woman? are they too different? too ... similar?]
london, huh? i have always wanted to, y'know — see... europe.
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( his awkwardness is … endearing , rather than something that makes katherine herself feel awkward too . )
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well , i also lived in london for a while , so i suppose i just … felt like it was time for another change of scenery !
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[a — for lack of a better descriptor — dorky grin plasters across his face. he puts two fingers up to his temple, gives an awkward salute. the regret for the gesture is instantly visible.]
chicago, new jersey, and wisconsin myself. no stranger to it. what brings you to america?
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( she blinks , but takes the comment in stride , a small chuckle leaving her . it’s not as if he accused her of being undead … )
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and you’re warm —— i lived in canada for most of my life , so i’m cooler than most , i suppose !
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many things are . i’m a nurse , myself , which is … also complicated , but let’s not get into that right now .
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( shaking firmly , noting the warmth of his hand —— do all mortals feel so warm ? she wonders , being so far removed from mortality … )
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