Dimitri felt a sting in his chest when Alannah pulled her hand away. He didn't have time to register the reasoning until she'd taken his hand back. A warm feeling washed over him when she felt her hand lightly squeezing his own, which was especially helpful to him in the current situation. Dimitri flashed a smile, broader than many he'd given in the past few months. He'd even let down an audible soft laugh when their hands were together.<br/><br/><span style="color: #0040BF">"Yeah, 'supposed to be."</span>Dimitri replied, about what his business was. He'd always been so conservative over his duties as a scion. But as his eyes drifted from Alannah's features and down to their hands locked together, Dimitri felt a sense of guilt. In that moment, he knew exactly what was more important to him.<span style="color: #0040BF">"Alannah, there's something <span style="font-style: italic">ancient</span> in the water. Stupid Nereus wants me to work with these really off-puttin' people. To get rid of it. I don't even know what <span style="font-style: italic">it</span> is. But I do know that whatever't is, its mere presence is causing this feelin' in the water."</span><br/><br/>There was a brief period of silence where Dimitri continued to look at their hands. At first, he'd done it to assure her of safety, but now he was wondering if he did it to make himself feel more safe too.<span style="color: #0040BF">"Um."</span>Dimitri tripped over his own words. His eyes narrowed at his own response; a substitute for words he never once used.<span style="color: #0040BF">"I know we're talkin' 'bout uncertain gloom'n and death. But, y'know, I miss you. I miss <span style="font-style: italic">this</span>."</span>Dimitri confessed, with a great deal of hesitation.<span style="color: #0040BF">"Just thought I should tell you. Just'n case this is my last chance."</span>