[ It’s his natural reticence that stirred her concern; if he’s not forthcoming to begin with, how must it have felt to blurt it out without really meaning, much less wanting, to? ]

I’m not scared… I just don’t like it. The idea of being controlled like that, somehow… it makes me feel a little sick. [ Her wan smile reflects her sentiments. ]

But Aqua, didn’t you say you’ve only been here a week? You weren’t scared when you got here, huh?