[No one else has that same sort of stability, and for a moment she's startled, but then it just doesn't matter anymore. It's strangely comforting to not be so worried about maintaining personal distance. Shaking her head, she stares back into the book, trying to see what it is he's talking about, but while the words he's saying make sense, she doesn't see why it has to be so complicated.]

There are so many combinations. Why isn't there just one rune for one thing? One only for me... [She presses her hand against her chest, and turns to face him a little better, reaching out to tap his collarbone with a fingertip.] One just for... you.

[They're so close, and yet... She wants to be closer. She won't go quite so far as to climb into his lap - certainly not without permission. But she couldn't bring herself to look away. It occurs to her that all her friends are adults. He is the closest thing she has to someone her own age. A strange sense of hopeful apprehension is wrapped around her heart, hot and tight, trembling, but not unpleasant.]