[ the long, tense silence suggests the insult without him ever needing to say it. alina, on the other hand, is sheepish. she makes herself small and grateful, ducking her head and thanking the volunteer. she turns into kirigan's side, keeping close as she starts back towards the door.
in her own silence, she contemplates her response. her new instinct is to placate him, to try to dial back the tension, but what would the alina starkov back at the little palace have said? she'd push her luck. ]
She's right you know. You are looking a little scruffy.
[ alina holds the bundle against her chest, but unties it so she can pick through the contents lightly. the printed text is unfamiliar, but she can draw a few conclusions about the bottles of hygiene products. there's one chalky brick that confuses her, and the packaging is made of some material she doesn't recognize, but they're supplies she's grateful for nonetheless.
it looks like idle sifting, but the truth is that she doesn't want to look at him while she ribs him. she might have to smile if she did. ]
no subject
in her own silence, she contemplates her response. her new instinct is to placate him, to try to dial back the tension, but what would the alina starkov back at the little palace have said? she'd push her luck. ]
She's right you know. You are looking a little scruffy.
[ alina holds the bundle against her chest, but unties it so she can pick through the contents lightly. the printed text is unfamiliar, but she can draw a few conclusions about the bottles of hygiene products. there's one chalky brick that confuses her, and the packaging is made of some material she doesn't recognize, but they're supplies she's grateful for nonetheless.
it looks like idle sifting, but the truth is that she doesn't want to look at him while she ribs him. she might have to smile if she did. ]