#loretta replies

[kissesandarsenic]

What do you think about frotting two subby boys?

An image I would love to see in person. Bonus points if they're both straight or questioning their sexuality just because my forced bi kink is acting up like crazy.

Hearing their little whimpers and moans. Both of them refusing to look at each other outright due to the embarrassment. Forcing them to anyway. Maybe making them kiss too and pretend it's me instead.

Ooooo or making them look into each other's eyes and spout out gooey praises. You're so pretty, you feel so good, your moans are my favourite. Until they're just outright saying I love you over and over again.

This went insanely off topic but, yes. I'm a voyeur. I love it. Super hot. Gimme.

[lorettavents]

What are you writing Loretta?

I read some Carson McCullers short stories and was surprised how different in length they were. I guess she let her stories take on a world of their own, be it short or long.

At the moment, I'm writing a dark femdom romance novel. It's been bashing around my head for a year-ish based on an idea my partner and I came up with. I plotted it out a couple weeks ago but life has been manic so I haven't had much time to work on it. And when I do, I get distracted.

It's about a woman who gets attacked by a man one night. She manages to stab him and get away but he becomes obsessed with her as a result due to masochistic tendencies and just being a little freak in general. I'm not great with elevator pitches but that's the gist of it.

I haven't read anything by her! I see she writes Southern Gothic though which could be a lot of fun to try out some time. One year for a NY resolution I read more genres and it worked out really well. Maybe I'll try it again this year ❤️

[illiana-mystery]

Prominent Black Actors that Willem has worked with, Pt. 2

Darius McCrary - Mississippi Burning (1988)

Danny Glover - The Flight of the Intruder (1991)

Loretta Devine - My Son, My Son, What Have Ye Done? (2009)

Jamie Foxx - Spiderman: No Way Home (2021)

See Part 1 HERE

[eldritchxembers]

For: Astrid | @hexstrom

Location: Loretta's Home

Time: Late Evening, Early Nighttime

The wrought-iron side gate creaked open without a single touch, its hinges silent save for the faint hum of magic. The pathway beyond it, lined with wild roses and night-blooming jasmine, seemed to glow faintly, as though the moon herself had reached down to mark the way. Somewhere nearby, wind chimes tinkled softly, the sound eerily melodic despite the stillness of the air.

At the end of the winding path stood Loretta’s back door, framed by climbing ivy and illuminated by the golden light spilling through the curtained window beside it. A faint scent of chamomile and lavender wafted from the house, carried on a breeze that smelled faintly of rain-soaked earth.

Before Astrid could even consider her next move, the door cracked open, just enough for light to spill onto the threshold. Inside, the soft strains of an old folk song floated through the air, accompanied by the occasional low murmur—perhaps Loretta speaking to herself, or maybe someone unseen.

"Don’t dawdle, dear," came Loretta’s voice, low and lilting, from somewhere inside. "The front door’s never for you, and you should hope it never is. Come in through the garden like the moon intended."

A shadow moved just behind the curtain—Hex, her chausie cat, watching with unblinking eyes as though to ensure Astrid didn’t wander astray. The faintest scratch of claws against wood came from somewhere deeper inside.

"Tea’s still warm, and you’re later than I expected," Loretta called again, her tone half amused, half expectant. "The gate opened for a reason, so don’t make me come drag you in."

[valkyurii]

YOU THERE!

What are your opinions on Loretta, knight of the Haligtree?

BIG WOMEN STRONG WOMAN THROW ME OVER YOUR SHOULDER AND CARRY ME HOME KIND OF WOMAN 💪

I love Loretta, kight of the Haligtree and honestly think she is super underrated, not only as a character, but also as a boss fight. She’s so fun to fight and is definitely one of my favourite bosses in the game. This is why I love the Haligtree in general. It’s home to two of my favourite blorbos (and technically a third one too. rip little mickey, in my head you are safe and sound at home god bless)

One thing I do wish was different with her though is her boss music. I get that it’s a big game with a lot of reused bosses and assets, but I do wish she had her own theme. But hey that’s a minor complaint really. At least it’s a banger of a theme

She also has such a cool design and the blue and sliver aesthetic is A+. I actually love how it contrasts with Malenia’s red and gold. Like the sun and the moon.

Just look at her 👀

That’s a whole woman right there. She’s actually quite a bit taller than Malenia too which is something that I like very much for reasons

Love her lore too, both the final version and the cut one. I actually quite like the idea of incorporating them both together and like to think that Radagon did gift her to Miquella as a loyal knight who would protect the Haligtree and it’s citizens. But also while she was there she asked Miquella if she could venture out to find and help guide the Albinaurics to this sanctuary he had built. With the Haligtree being relatively well hidden for its own safety it would be difficult for people to find it on their own. So Loretta, possibly with the help of some cleanrot knights, head out on a mission to find and lead the Albinaurics home. I like the idea of Loretta first being sent to the tree with very little expectations, only to see Miquella’s hard work and dedication first hand and think actually yeah, this place would make for a good safe haven for those in need of sanctuary. Over the years her respect and dedication for Miquella only grew stronger and even after he is gone she still remains, as steadfast as ever, to protect what’s left of her home. We talk a lot about how loyal and dedicated Malenia is to Miquella, but I think it’s worth noting that Loretta is also faithful to him and his cause. So much so that she hasn’t abandoned the place or given up on him even in his absence.

In conclusion, I think she’s pretty neat and definitely deserves more love 🙂

[katyspersonal]

YOU THERE

Opinions on Loretta, knight of the Haligtree? (this is a threat)

AAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!! Ohhhh boy...

As usual, I get a little stuck on ER characters, because I main BB and it is sooooo hard to switch from a hyperfixation. *sobs* SO, unfortunately, I do not have much to offer yet, but let me think...

I'll just say that I got stuck at even something as barebones as 'Is Loretta herself and Albinauric or just happens to care about them a lot?'

Her shield says that because of its shape resembling a drop of sacred dew, people had "absurd rumours" that she herself was an Albinauric! I picked how 'absurd rumours' would be in Japanese script and apparently 'tsumaranu' is closer to the meaning as 'boring' or 'uninteresting' (つまらぬ), than 'absurd'. ('Uwasa' means rumour(s)) Like... did the lore just tell us that assuming she is an Albinauric herself is the most boring assumption?? Oh hell. But then I saw that she was immune to Madness, which is specified in lore to only effect humans. Oh HELL. ...but then I remembered that Loretta is affiliated with Haligtree (well.... yeah?! lol) and even the glintstone in her war sickle was replaced with unalloyed gold. But unalloyed gold is known to block out the influence of the outer Gods. And Madness COMES from Three Fingers, which is easily qualified as outer God itself!!

For Scarlet Rot, something that is as familiar as being in a way 'natural' for this world once, of course only something as drastic as that needle would work. But for Madness, which is a sickness brought to this world, maybe a "lucky charm" like thing in her sickle is helpful enough. And her focus! I think Loretta is a human, that just happens to care about Albinaurics a lot! People would assume she had a 'personal' interest... whereas she simply had enough compassion and honour to sympathise with the species, and her shield was fashioned this way as reflection of her intent to help Albinaurics. She is not the [species] herself, but cares about them. And does it well, unlike..... some OTHER characters who "care" about oppressed kind of people within the lore ъ_ъ *shivers*

Damn, dude, the potential of Dung Eater having that cliché villain moment of "we are not so different, you and I" with a [hero] while roughly having the same motivations but being utterly depraved will haunt me now.. The trope haunted me from FMA moment with Tuck3r (if you know then you know)..

....uhhh okay, ANYWAYS,

My opinion is that this character is actually really interesting! No matter what direction you take her lore and motivation, she is a very strong character! If she is a human, she is a very compassionate and open-minded soul! If she is an Albinauric herself, she has such strong sense of duty and passion for her species that it is commendable too, one who is really capable of making a change, even if it is as simple as finding a save haven! And I certainly like the fact that Miriam (that fucking BITCH.... -_-) uses Loretta's bow sorcery. It'd mean that the tactics Loretta used (and probably invented) were so good that other people at Caria Manor were willing to learn from her as well. But yes, I do think that Loretta would invent and favour a spell like this as longbows are what Albinauric women tend to use. Glintstone sorceries have a habit of being named after those who discovered them (Comet Azur, Thop's Barrier' etc). She is like... both very strong, very smart (Glintstone sorceries demand high intellect, ok?) and very compassionate woman. In invokes both admiration and provokes a thought of what is the catch about her character, since being ideal at everything should not be possible...?

My luckiest guess is that she might suck at interpersonal relationship all things considered. So yes, great skills and caring for larger picture, and a species that faced oppression, to the point of wanting to get in their skin a bit... But like, maybe she is snappy and impulsive. Maybe she might often hurt even people who are dear for her. Maybe she could be a bit too demanding of people she does not see as victims of circumstances. It seems like a person of many skills and noble intentions would easily be the one having a hard time finding true friends she could get along with as a person, not as a "coworker" or "servant". I feel like she'd be the type to lose the line between 'telling the truth' and 'being a bit mean'! But this is just me fumbling with the ideas 🤔

I also currently do not have an idea about her face reveal, actually? ...moreover, I am surprised I never see any interpretations of her ;-; But, I already like the image of your interpretation that you sent to me!

Your version of her looks very divorced despite having never been married fdhfhdhsd I don't even know how ELSE to describe this aura, but it is valid in any way xD

_____________________

Thank you for the ask!!

[eldritchxembers]

Loretta’s head tilted, her black braid slipping forward over one shoulder as she regarded Winslet with a look that could only be described as amused patience. Her good eye glimmered with a soft humor, and while the eye behind the eyepatch probably matched, no one could say for sure.

"Darling," she began, her voice a smooth alto with the faintest lilt of mirth, "you make it sound as though the fate of the stars rests on this decision. It's a gift, not a treaty negotiation."

She shifted her weight, Mems the IX poking his twitching nose out of the folds of her shawl as though offering his own silent commentary. "For your grandmother, hmm?" Her fingers tapped lightly against the spine of an old book resting in her hand. "The question isn’t what you think she might want—it’s what she might need and not know to ask for."

Loretta leaned in just slightly, her presence commanding yet oddly comforting. "What kind of woman is she? Sentimental? Practical? Does she prefer something to keep her hands busy or her heart full? If you give me that much, I can promise you, we'll have this so-called conundrum wrapped up in no time."

She paused, her lips quirking into a small, knowing smile. "Of course, if you’d rather wallow in gift-buying despair, I can absolutely let you 'buzz off.’ But I wouldn’t count on my expertise being so freely offered next time."

Status: open to all @cardinalstart Location: Any store of your choosing

With an exasperated sigh that seemed to carry the weight of a thousand unsolved equations, Winslet turned her gaze to the person beside her, her brow furrowed in both frustration and the faintest hint of resignation. It was clear that the time had come for her to cast aside any semblance of pride and admit the inevitable: she needed assistance.

"Would you, by any chance, be willing to offer your expertise?" she asked, her voice a delicate blend of exasperation and eloquence. "Please, do not hesitate to tell me to ‘buzz off,’ should you be otherwise occupied, disinterested, or simply not in the mood for meddling in my personal crises. But-" she paused for a breath, finally gathering herself after her verbal tumble- "I find myself in a rather vexing conundrum, and I could desperately use another perspective." Another sigh, though this time more resigned than frustrated. "Forgive me, I'm just utterly stumped on what to buy my grandmother for the holidays."

[automaticsoulharmony]

In-Universe AU

Leave any fics you can think of in the replies! Don’t forget to leave kudos and comments on the fics you read <33

Every Good Gold Digger by roseandgold137

Steph Keeps The Kid AU by DerAndere

Executive Assistant to the Batman by heartslogos

Not the Robin They Wanted by Loretta

The Ruination of Responsibility by Moxibustion (RyuuzaKochou)

I see you as an equal (with our equally dubious morals) by faithms

Cradle Robber by C_R_Scott

You’re not here with us by Shikoshiko

First Impressions by Writer_loves_tropes

family is family (even in reflection) by weareallstardustfallen

Penelope by NerdyGay

The Long Way Home by miyaji_o8

Dead Air (dont let me fall) by Calypso_Rambles

In Service by smilebackwards

Banshee In A Well by liverobinreaction (bugbee)

Home Alone: Christmas at Titans Tower by Miss_Lazy_Tuesday

two birds (one life) by Acin-Grayson

Guide to Tim fics

[lorettavents]

Hi, I hope you're settling in to your new apartment well. Are you writing much? I chanced upon a video about creativity and thought of you and your writing.

https://youtu.be/nvKeu46jgwo?si=RoKcGL_i8kadhfiT

It's quite long so if you don't want to watch it, the message was that you have to be able to switch between open and closed ways of thinking. Open to get the ideas, closed to implement them, then open again to evaluate and so on. I struggle to switch between ways of thinking.

Just wanted to encourage you really but if you're off writing that's ok too. Anything's ok as long as you're happy as far as I'm concerned 😊

That's very sweet of you, honey <3

Just got a rejection letter so feeling a bit dejected. I'm also very sick at the moment so don't have much energy to turn that into motivation and keep writing, but things like this are good to ingest and take on board.

[cesperanza]

So I was reading Ethel Merman's Wikipedia page...

Shh shh don't ask why, just don't! But I share with you the delightful fact that there's a section dedicated to "Profanity," which includes this delightful anecdote:

While rehearsing a guest appearance on The Loretta Young Show, Merman exclaimed "Where the hell does this go?" Young, who was a devout Catholic, advanced towards Merman waving an empty coffee can, saying, "Miss Merman, you said the 'H' word! That'll be twenty-five cents."—to which Merman replied, "Tell me, Loretta, how much will it cost me to tell you to go fuck yourself?"

[eldritchxembers]

For: Any of Jucifer's Witch Muses | @hxesandruin Location: Loretta's Home Character: Loretta | biography

The back garden of Loretta LaGrange’s home breathed a quiet life, even in winter’s chilly grip. Hardy herbs and evergreen shrubs lined the narrow path, their muted greens and silvers defying the season's bleakness. The damp air carried the faint scent of rosemary and pine, mingling with the earthy undertone of turned soil. Despite the frost that clung to the edges of the stone walkway, the garden felt alive; a small miracle tucked away.

The door to the kitchen stood slightly ajar, as if it had been waiting for him, the warmth of the house spilling out in soft, inviting waves. From inside came the faint clatter of movement: ceramic against wood, the creak of a chair shifting under weight, but it was not Loretta who greeted him first.

A pale-furred opossum waddled forward, her steps slow and deliberate as it emerged from beneath a garden bench. Her bright, bead-like eyes studied him with intelligence, as though weighing his presence. The creature paused at the threshold of the door, waiting just long enough to ensure he followed before slipping inside.

The kitchen was cozy, but not crowded—its charm came from its lived-in warmth rather than its size. Jars of dried herbs and flowers hung in neat rows from the ceiling beams, their faint perfume mingling with the rich aroma of mulled cider warming on the stove. A plate of biscuits sat on the counter, next to small bowls of honey and preserves.

Loretta glanced up as he entered, a faint smile playing at her lips. She wore a shawl draped over her shoulders, the soft gray fabric catching the firelight from the hearth. Her fingers rested lightly on the edge of the table, though her gaze carried the same weight it always did, as if she saw past the veil of words and into the marrow of what mattered.

“So, you came.” Her voice was warm, unhurried. "Good. I had hoped you would."

She gestured to the chair across from her, the opossum climbing with quiet grace onto a padded stool near the stove, its tail curling like a question mark. “Sit. Eat if you’ve a mind to,” she said, nodding toward the plate of biscuits. “It’s a cold walk back through the garden, and you look like you could use a moment to catch your breath.”

Loretta’s smile deepened, though her tone turned curious, almost teasing. “You don’t strike me as a man who comes to another witch’s home lightly. So tell me, what’s drawn you here this fine, frosty day?”

[sarahlizziewrites]

OC Kiss Week 25 - Day 3 - “Stolen”

In which Jacques steals a kiss. (513 words) WIP: The Electric Pavilion (Chrissieverse Book 2) - post-canon Characters: Jacques de Éloïe, Loretta Chrissie, Silas Chrissie Taglist: (+/-): @novel-emma, @tabswrites, @mrbexwrites, @glbettwrites, @vacantgodling, @imsoveryveryconfusedatlife, @harleyacoincidence, @thescatteredscribbles

Here they are! They said they would be in the big park in the morning, and I’ve been waiting since the sun came up so I could meet them - and here they finally are. 

My rhythm and my melody.

She looks so beautiful, in a cream-coloured coat trimmed with fur. He’s wearing shaded glasses, and a smile that makes my soul feel like singing. I rise from my resting spot, stretch and bound across the grass to meet them.

My melody recognises my dog form first, a few seconds before he does. She smiles, lips hyacinth-red; wry. “Well, well,” she says. “Look who’s here to steal my husband.”

It is she who bends at the hip to scratch at my ears - I love you I love you I love you! - but she’s right, it is he who I am here to see. Once my melody straightens, I get my rhythm’s attention by nipping at the fabric around his ankles, tugging him towards the privacy of a rhododendron bush. 

“Alright, steady on, old chap…” he gripes, though it’s fond. “These are new–!”

He follows me through the branches of the bush, into the dense, quiet centre, and finally - once we’re alone, and there are no longer any spying eyes - I can turn back into a man again.

I can’t quite stand upright in this thicket of carmine blossoms and dappled sunlight, so it’s easy to lean down and kiss him. His kiss in return is soft but hungry, as though he has been waiting just as anxiously to see me.

“Mm - what’s all this, Jacqui?” he says, taking his hat off to pull me closer by the collar and land a kiss in the corner of my mouth. “I was having a lovely walk with my wife; this couldn’t have waited until we got back to the hotel?” His lip curls into a smile, which I taste again.

“I couldn’t wait,” I mutter back.

“No, indeed,” he replies with a laugh, which gets smudged into another urgent kiss. “Nearly ripped a hole in my new trousers for the trouble–”

“I’ll do that and worse–”

“–new tweed, Jacqui, from Kilgour & French–”

“–as if you’ve never needed an excuse to go shopping–”

“You’ve got me there…”

Our bickering fades to further kisses, and - more pleasingly - to soft sounds of contentment in his throat. Outside, the sun blazes, and the woman we both love is standing guard to make sure we’re not found out, and all is well.

“Come now, Jacqui, let’s get home,” he says, at length. Then, “Loretta is waiting…”

“I’ll make it up to her later, too,” I promise. And indeed, I will make it up to her, when the three of us are alone. Until then, I’m having far too good a time kissing her husband. I pull back, hovering a few centimetres from his lips. “Je t’aime,” I tell him, even though I know, after all these years, he still doesn’t speak a word of French.

“I know that one,” he says, proving me wrong, and adds, “I love you too, Jacqui.”

[theguardianofmagic]

What are your thoughts and reasons for wanting them to be the next victim?

Please reblog for bigger sample size!

[merakiui]

wait mera!!!! in the lost city au, if floyb is the cover model and azul is the eccentric billionaire, then who’s taking brad pitt’s role????

OOOO hmmm,,, I think Rook would be the most fitting for that role despite what ultimately happens to him in the film. ;;;; the role is eccentric enough to suit the equally eccentric Rook.

I rewatched the film recently and some of Alan's dialogue with the characters really does feel like Floyb. That exchange when Alan insists on coming with to help Jack Trainer for "back-up and awesomeness" or when Jack Trainer asks if he likes "this woman" (referring to Loretta) and Alan replies with, "Well, I just brought snacks. I know she gets kinda grumpy when she doesn't eat and I get it. I'm a five-meals-a-day kinda guy." AAAAAA IT FEELS SO FLOYB TO ME!!!! OTL

[bcolfanfic]

all again chap 4 pls!

When John walked inside, Gale was just hanging up the phone, the hand that had been holding it now rubbing over his face. The weariness was evident in his posture. “Hey, something wrong?”  “They want me back to work tomorrow,” Gale replied with a sigh. “I knew it was comin’. Don’t think I’d like it no matter when they called, I guess.” “Who’s watching Loretta?” John said, cogs turning in his head, towards something he hoped wouldn’t be a bullet into his foot. "Buddy of mine's wife around the corner- they have a daughter her age," Gale said. “Was gonna call her here in a minute and ask. Don’t know why I didn’t sort this out sooner guess I'm just-.” Just used to my dead wife bein’ a stay at home mom John completed in his head when Gale stopped. He considered throwing out his ask for now, surely he still had a way to go with earning his trust- with earning any sort of place here, in this. But when he met Gale's eyes, he saw something he hadn’t seen yet in the few days he’d been back. Something he hadn’t seen since he left Wyoming after the wedding, when Gale told him not to be a stranger. He couldn’t run from his own damn self now. Not this time. "Let me?"  “Let you what?"  Gale searched his face like he was looking for a sign of insincerity, and John took a deep breath, steeling himself. “Y’know, watch Loretta," he said. Gale's expression softened, a flicker of relief in his eyes, even when the next words out of his mouth were another question.  "You have work too, do you not?"  "Got a meeting in the morning with some guys the Pentagon wants me to talk to, but that's it." John replied, "I can bring her- have her color or something, it’s not gonna be more than an hour." Gale just stared at him for what felt like a long few seconds, quirking his mouth to the side- sucking his cheek in. Finally, he nodded. "Okay," he said quietly. "Okay, sure.” There was a moment of silence between that edged into awkward, John rubbing his own arm, looking off at the wall. Gale broke first, clearing his throat. “I finished sorting Marge’s stuff out, by the way,” he said, and John turned his head back to him so quick it made his neck burn. “The guest room is yours if you want it.” John hesitated. One part of him was relieved- for the fact that this felt like some sort of olive branch. The other part of him was still in bed next to Gale at the hotel, something that felt akin to guilt clawing its way towards his frontal lobe. “I- I don’t want to be in your hair, I got a hotel, like you asked.” “I’m sure,  I…”  Gale trailed off, scratching the back of his neck. “Easier for tomorrow at least, with you watchin Loretta.”

[midnightsmisery]

Feeling her heart fill with motherly pride, she put one hand over her heart, while the other reached out to touch cheek. "Boy did I do something right when raising you," she said sweetly. Pinching his cheek softly before letting him go to grab the bags at her feet and bring them to the kitchen. Loretta was just leaning over to pick them up when Luca stopped her and scooped them up herself. "I could get used to this. I spent more than enough time picking up your laundry off the floor and lugging that ridiculous heavy backpack you lugged around in primary school. Now I get to sit back and relax while you do it all," she said teasingly as her boy carried the bags to the kitchen. The brunette sat down at the island counter, perching her head in her hand while he unpacked a few things. As soon as Luca requested dinner at his place and not at home, she felt like an elephant had sat on her chest. His whole life she'd just wanted to give him a good, solid home that he could always come back to. But the fighting and tension between her and his father had eroded away that safety net. Even she didn't want to be there some nights, how could she expect Luca to want to? Letting out a soft gently sigh, she looked around the kitchen. "I suppose I could leave my big fancy stove behind and whip it up here instead?" she said with a wink, to lighten the mood. Not letting on that she knew the real reason he didn't want to come home. "But you and Drew need to do those dishes! I'm going to need an empty sink and 2 clean cutting boards, if I'm going to teach you how to make it. If you boys can do that, then Momma will cook you boys a feast here."

“i’m  free  any  night,  for  you,”  luca  uttered  sincerely.  his  mother  was  his  family’s  rock,  bending  backwards  to  always  support  him  and  his  father,  no  matter  what.  so  if  his  mother  wanted  him  to  have  dinner  with  her,  he’d  drop  everything  to  be  there  with  her  ⸻  it’s  the  least  her  could  do.  luca  looked  forward  to  loretta’s  recurrent  grocery  visits  more  than  he  liked  to  admit;  he’s  become  dependent  on  them,  actually.  “no  reason  a  little  lady  like  yourself  should  be  carrying  these  heavy  bags,  let  me  get  them,”  he  extends  his  lengthy  arms  out  to  get  his  hands  on  his  favorite  goodies  that  she  picked  up  for  him.  his  mother  has  always  thought  of  him  first,  even  if  that  would  mean  not  having  enough  for  herself;  that’s  the  kind  of  selfless  woman  she  is.  “hey,  what  if  we  cooked  here  ?  i  mean,  our  kitchen  isn’t  as  nice  as  the  one  at  home  but  it’s  functional,  and  i’m  sure  drew  wouldn’t  mind  having  you  here.  plus,  i’ll  finally  let  you  show  me  how  to  make  grandma’s  special  chili.”  luca  didn’t  want  to  go  home,  it  was  now  a  place  he  now  felt  like  he  needed  to  avoid  like  the  plague.  although  loretta  said  leone  wouldn’t  be  until  late,  far  after  he’d  leave,  he  still  didn’t  want  to  chance  bumping  into  his  father.  how  sad  is  it,  that  the  thought  of  having  to  make  small  talk  with  your  own  parent  makes  you  nauseated  ?  “it’s  up  to  you  though,”  he  informs  her,  secretly  hoping  she  knows  him  well  enough  to  his  see  how  unnerved  he  was  beneath  his  usual  aloof  manner.