"I was kidnapped," she replied calmly, enunciating each word clearly. "That is scary. Objectively scary. Most people would agree."
Hellder winced visibly, his shoulders hunching.
"That word sounds aggressive. Very aggressive. Perhaps we could use a different word. 'Visited' sounds nicer."
"I was not visited. I was taken while unconscious from my home. That is kidnapping by any definition."
Haron rubbed his temples vigorously. "She has a point."
"She does not have a point," Roman snapped. "She is being difficult on purpose."
"I am being honest," Alina corrected sweetly. "There is a difference."
Roman exhaled sharply through his nose.
"You humans are so dramatic. Everything is a crisis. A little darkness, a little unconscious transport, and suddenly it is 'kidnapping' and 'scary' and 'I could not breathe.'"
"You are very tall and have horns," she countered.
"That is not relevant."
"It is intimidating. Very intimidating. Especially when you loom."
