[Angel listened quietly as Walter spoke. She did her best to maintain her composure, but the longer he went on, the more Angel tensed up. By the time he reached the end of his tale, she sat ramrod straight, with her fists clenched at her side. It was far too close to her own upbringing, too similar to the horrors that she had faced.]
[The more uncomfortable Angel grew, the closer the Riolu crept. Eventually, Skagbait pushed herself beneath one of Angel's hands -- if she couldn't attack whoever it was hurting Angel, then she could at least provide comfort.]
[It took her nearly a minute to speak after Walter was done. In that time, she couldn't meet his eyes. Instead, she stared out, willing herself not to tear up, not to draw her attention away from what she did not doubt was a painful revelation.]
They are right. It should not have been that way, Walter. [She drew in a deep breath.] But sometimes that is the way. People are cruel, and I think you and I know that better than anyone else out there.
no subject
[The more uncomfortable Angel grew, the closer the Riolu crept. Eventually, Skagbait pushed herself beneath one of Angel's hands -- if she couldn't attack whoever it was hurting Angel, then she could at least provide comfort.]
[It took her nearly a minute to speak after Walter was done. In that time, she couldn't meet his eyes. Instead, she stared out, willing herself not to tear up, not to draw her attention away from what she did not doubt was a painful revelation.]
They are right. It should not have been that way, Walter. [She drew in a deep breath.] But sometimes that is the way. People are cruel, and I think you and I know that better than anyone else out there.