[ It is better to ask someone who won’t take advantage than someone who will - Erik doesn’t know enough about the majority of residents here to hazard a guess on how they might treat someone coming out of their shell, but given the party he’s not horribly optimistic. It’s rather the opposite, in fact, and there’s an awkward surge of protectiveness that he can’t quite bury away.

She reminds him of someone, and he doesn’t dare put a name to that particular emotion.

Instead, he focuses on the woman in front of him, learning her wants for the first time. It’s both endearing and heady, and as she tilts into the touch of his hand he feels a small, pleased smirk settle on his face. Erik can’t claim to be a good man by many measures of the word, but he can at least claim to be a decent on in these matters.

He leans closer, close enough to touch. ]

You can ask me the questions. I’ll answer them. Any new desires you have? I can teach you.

[ His thumb brushes over her lower lip. His attitude to the party is still sour, a tsunami of irritation in his mind, but her curiosity has softened him a little. ]

Why don’t you start with a kiss?