bend or break [PAST]

Merrill smiles. Hawke is so sweet. What? Oh, that. Yes, I'm using that. She looks around herself and finally sets down the arulin'holm, but no further than her own thigh, as if putting it out of her sight is unconceivable. Aoife takes her arm, and Merrill watches her moves with wide eyes. Oh, Hawke, you don't have to do that. She won't move to stop her, she can always make another cut when Hawke leaves. I think I have some elfroot in the kitchen.