"Are you just purposefully contradictory?" she asked finally with a defeated sigh, stepping in closer to give her arm more slack and relax her shoulder. "Because I actually like your firm grip," Mabelle whispered, staring up at him unblinkingly. "Squeeze just a bit tighter. Make sure it bruises," she encouraged, not caring whether he did so or let go completely in response, just hoping he'd do more than just hold her there.
Considering the offer quietly, Mabelle remained skeptical, not quite ready to take the bait yet. "What good would learning do me," she began, keeping her voice as even as she could, "if I don't have any instruments to play? After all, I already know how to play harp, and that doesn't do me much good anymore."