"N-no. I don't. I..." There's really nothing she can do here is there.

What if she were hugging Annie right now, without regard for crossing the space at only normal human speed.

Then she'd knock the wind out of Annie a little but also she would have a hug.

"Whats... that's your lady friend?"

"Can we go to my room."

"Of course." They can go right back out the door again and to Lucette's room.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I didn't. I didn't know. I." And only then is Lucette going to cry.

"You didn't do anything wrong." Annie strokes her hair and holds her. "That guy's an asshole."

"I really really did. I should have. Said no. Or not gone off on my own. Or planned better. Or something."

"It is not your fault that that guy is an asshole!"

"He was drunk and he said I'd make a good wife for him and I agreed and then he kissed me and everyone saw and now we're going to having get married and it's my fault for not being responsible enough to deal with this in any other way."

"Everyone saw? - and that means you have to marry him?"

"Their were people outside the window getting fireworks ready and they were staring. Probably because I made the whole place shake instead of keeping it quiet like I should have. And... I was already tainted by my dad being a commoner and this will be so much worse unless I say we were engaged first and marry him quickly."

Okay Annie's crying now.

Yes, that is definitely the correct response here.

Annie should not send him to another universe. Annie should not send him to another universe. Annie should not send him to another universe. Annie should not send him to another universe. Annie should not send him to another universe. Annie should not send him to another universe.

"I'm sorry I.... Don't know why I didn't do anything to stop him and now it's too late."

"I would run away with you anywhere but you would still have the demon... I will make him allergic to music if you want me to so even if you have to marry him he can't get anywhere near you if you'd rather hum."

"I think that will make it really dreadful to have his feelings about me in my head."

"Doesn't that only happen when you touch?"

"If you're married it's all the time and a lot more intense."

"Oh."

"I should probably figure out how to like him. It will make things easier."

"His brother seemed basically fine, maybe in other moods he's more like that."

Nod nod.

"Maybe he's just very lo-l-." and nope, Lucette is crying again.

All of the hugs. All of the hugs and conscientiously making sure that they've always got skin touching somewhere so Lucette knows she is loved loved loved.