CW: fears of transphobic violence
"Yeah," Ka'Ri responds with a twinge of awe as she scrubs her sweat-stained arms furiously. "Part of me... part of me feels bad that I responded to all the wrong by running away, but it feels good that someone is trying to save this cursed city. Make it something to be worth being proud of instead of something I lie about not being from. So yeah... in that way, you're one of my heroes."
She pauses for a moment. "Do you really think it's as easy as just asking Thimb if she'd be interested hanging out more? Like... I'd like that. I'd like that a lot." The crimson shade returns to fully mask her face. "It'd be really nice if it could be that simple like it is for... well for folks who aren't like me."
Her hands wring each other. "There's always those stories you know..." she says nervously. "Folks like me who approach what they thought was a cute person at the tavern only for them to get angry or violent. Or being felt up by the wrong patron. I know it's only a small number, but it leaves a mark, you know, that makes you scared of being too forward with anyone."
"And with Thimb," a sort of wistfulness returns to her voice. "I really don't want to scare her away. If all she can offer me is friendship, that's enough, but I don't want her to see me as some floatsam that's trying to get more from her than she's comfortable with, y'know?"