[ Her reply is interrupted by a hiccup that quickly leads into a small burp which is...probably a lot less cute and definitely not very delicate flower of her. At least nothing came up with it. ]

Why wouldn't it though? [ Hilda draws in a shuddering breath, her voice sounding teary and forlorn. ] I'm not really strong like Holst. Or really smart like Claude. Or super super kind and talented like you. Eventually people are going to figure out that I'm just a pretty thing and get bored.

[ Her eyes fix on a point just ahead of them, knowing that if she turns her gaze upwards her world may spin again. She gives her head a short shake. Other words are on the tip of her tongue, like why part of the reason she had told him she didn't want him was a roundabout, awful way of ensuring that he didn't make an awful mistake himself. ]

Like you - I don't know why you haven't. I said something so mean to you but you're still here.