155 Stranger In The Dark

"Err, you want me to teach you now…? We're sorta in–"

"If not now, then when else?!" Melisande interrupted him, "Besides, I can tell you're tired! You've been pushing yourself too hard for my sake. And don't try to lie to act tough! I can see your bruises and those bags under your eyes–so…let me help you!"

Part of him wanted to argue with those words, but it was clearly the truth: he was exhausted. It was an uphill battle he was fighting alone, and he knew it.

Even more so, Melisande had pride of her own and was her own person; it wasn't as if he was protecting some child, either–they were the same age.

Though they already discussed him guiding her in magecraft, he assumed this would be something saved for a time when they weren't engulfed in alternate realities of horrific consequence.

Still, he could see by the pouty look on her face and the adamant gleam in her eyes that Melisande wasn't looking to accept 'no' for an answer.