<div class="floatleft">(http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff123/Scrapper349/th_Russell.jpg)</div><br/><strong>Russell Davis<br/>Auditorium<br/>Tagged: Sashira, anyone nearby</strong><br/><br/><br/>Russell blinked in surprise as Riza suddenly bolted for the auditorium's exit rather than take the seat next to him that he'd offered.<em>What happened? Did I do something to scare her or make her mad?</em>the blue-eyed youth wondered uneasily. The forest spirit's erratic behaviour was just another reminder that the girls at this school weren't human and didn't think in the same ways that humans did. Russell had no idea if his behaviour had frightened Riza, offended her, or had been taken another way he hadn't even considered - he suddenly remembered his words to Anya that a handshake in some human cultures could be considered a promise of marriage, and a chill of dread swept down his spine.<em>Still, I can't let myself be stuck by what one of the girls may or may not think. If I know they're going to act a certain way then I'll take that into account. But I'm not going to be paralysed by fears of 'maybe' or 'what if'. Maybe human is a dirty word here, dammit, but I'm still going to be myself!</em><br/><br/>As if in approval to his silent tirade a soft weight descended on Russell's shoulder. The intense American turned his head and raised an eyebrow as he saw Sashira's head resting on his shoulder. Any thought that the succubus was trying to play games with him vanished as Russell caught sight of the expression of discomfort on her beautiful face as she watched Tina's punishment. Whatever she had going on with Yuri didn't matter right then to Russell - in this place Sashira was the closest thing he had to a friend, even including the humans he'd met. And right now, demon or not, she was seeking reassurance instead of gratification.<br/><br/>Without a word Russell shifted position in his seat, turning towards Sashira so the half-breed girl's head rested on his chest rather than his shoulder. Sliding his arm around her to hold her close his free hand gave one of her hands a gentle squeeze as he rubbed his cheek against the top of her head, doing all he could to silently offer reassurance to her.