[ It took a few moments for Tear to recover enough to reply, still brushing away abundance of snowflakes that had stuck to her hair before they could follow the same example of others that landed inside her hood, chilling her skin where they had melted and made her shiver. Nevertheless a smile played upon her lips, complimenting the faint red of her cheeks as she looked away from the falling snow and back to her partner as she mulled over his words. ]

Well... [ Maybe it was a tradition among the populace to be so nosy, though in Tear's experience people had a tendency to ask questions and tease regardless of whatever land they happened to be inhabiting.

But just because she had endured the teasing before didn't mean she had any more skill in addressing it. The girl had been just as guilty in her share of flustered expressions for the more insistent, at times mumbling her replies and always seeking his hand again as soon as the perpetrators looked away. Though she may have dealt with such remarks coldly in the past, it was almost impossible to when they happened to be an observation of the truth.

So... she had indeed let it get to her a little, but mostly because putting what she felt into words while on the spot was difficult. Yet it was just as Ace had said—one step at a time. ]

It might take some getting used to. [ Seeking to hold his hand in both of hers again, she closed her eyes. ] But you're right. We'll get there together, and I'm sure they'll only have more to ask as time passes.

[ Heck, she could already imagine the number of questions she would have to answer to as soon as they parted ways, though that was hardly the reason she was reluctant to bring an end to their day. ]