Leolo accepted the slap and punch without flinching.  Any man assaulting him like that would have been slain on the spot.  But Leolo didn’t believe in striking women.  Especially not young human women, who might possibly have a legitimate reason to be angry at him.  However, he did feel compelled to challenge Rose’s words.  “Are you so sure that everything was worked out?  It only took a simple fairy trick to turn you against him.  If your relationship had truly mended, if your wounds were truly healed, you would have trusted your boyfriend.”<br/><br/>A soft sigh escaped Leolo.  He genuinely hated seeing Rose so upset, even if he felt that her grief was misplaced.  “However,” he reluctantly conceded.  “I do regret beginning our relationship with a lie.  I realize that will make it harder to trust me now and I’m sorry.”<br/><br/>Then Rose stood and wrapped her arms around Leolo’s neck.  Only minutes ago, he would have been thrilled to have her back in his embrace.  But he couldn’t forget her declaration of hate.  If she despised him, he wasn’t going to force himself on her, regardless of what the mark desired.  Gently clasping Rose’s arms, Leolo unwound them from around his neck.  “You asked if you could trust me.  I hope to prove that you can by telling you the truth.  The tattoo you received this this afternoon was a fairy symbol -- my symbol.  For some reason, it chose you, and now we’re bound together.  That’s why you feel so strongly pulled towards me.  But I don’t want to take advantage of that.  Especially not while you’re angry at me.”