（ clearly, he's thinking along parallel lines, because he moves to step in front of her as they go through the door, one hand held out to ward her back. ）
I've only been down here once. Stay behind me just in case, okay?
（ local man, 18½, possessed of a protectiveness complex a mile wide and at least that high again. while he knows, rationally, that people can usually defend themselves as needed — he's also been the one that's been called on time and again to defend the world. it's mostly a habit by this point. ）
no subject
（ clearly, he's thinking along parallel lines, because he moves to step in front of her as they go through the door, one hand held out to ward her back. ）
I've only been down here once. Stay behind me just in case, okay?
（ local man, 18½, possessed of a protectiveness complex a mile wide and at least that high again. while he knows, rationally, that people can usually defend themselves as needed — he's also been the one that's been called on time and again to defend the world. it's mostly a habit by this point. ）