[ the hand holding his feels like a death grip, though that might not be too far from the truth. they aren't holding hands out of affection or anything like that... this truly is a matter of life or death. if the pretense falls apart, there's no telling what might happen here.

though even without that added layer of intensity, he'd likely find the gesture disquieting. ]

You're the one who insisted we purchase this vacation home from that suspicious merchant. [ timeshare scams are everywhere, even in olympia. ] And yet this is the first time we're even using it. [ he pauses, glancing at zero, then at the guards. for whatever reason, everyone seems to be expecting something more. ]

...dear.

[ whether the guards by that or not is questionable, though they at least relax a little bit. if only because they were pretty sure they felt killing intent in the air until just moments ago. ]

As you can see, we're rather anxious to get on the road. Mind letting us go already?