Snippet #970664

Pike was concerned, and watched as she strode off but noticed the hesitation in her stride. Only seventeen, not old enough to take care of herself. And she looked thin to him, which is why he thought she was younger. But he didn't mention the tiny details he was picking up on, only said: "Seventeen, huh? As I thought, you're just older than a girl... Don't get me wrong," he paused to stand "I mean -- I'm certain that you can take care of yourself. Not many others at your age could, but *you* seem totally self-capable..." He smiled a little, even if he still looked kind of sad. "But I am honor-bound to ask you" he put on a fake, haughty-sounding accent as he continued, "My lady, will you be dining alone tonight? A young woman should never be without a chaperone," and he chuckled a little at his own joke, just one of Pike's less-annoying attributes. He left his question and his hands open, waiting for her response with a tilted head and a look of concern on his face--real concern, nothing put on.