"I've heard violins can be rather particular." Michael agreed, squeezing her hand reassuringly. Their limbs were already an awkward mess, and he didn't want to look like one of those couples that appeared tangled at all times, not when they hadn't done anything to create the rumors that would most likely follow. So instead, he moved their joined hands onto her lap, resting a thumb on her thigh with his fingers still clinging to hers.
Was the comment about pruning her supposed to be sexual? Michael wasn't sure, but he felt as if she was trying to say something that just wasn't there. Like a billboard sign designated for another ethnicity of people and thus useless to everyone else who passed by. He made a mental note to try and figure out what language she was speaking, whatever that language was.
Deciding to drop whatever the pruning implications were, he instead leaned down to try and whisper in her ear (not that of course, there was too many people around to hear). "I brought my cards, if you want to try later. I make no promises though."
He didn't add that he always had his cards with him, best to make this look like some sort of plan that he did not have. Yes, best for that.