See, here's the thing about Hippolyta. She knows how to read a room. And more specifically, she knows how to accurately read micro-expressions and emotional temperature with astonishing clarity. That's what happens when you grow up in a household where the slightest shift in somebody else's mood could lead all too easily to pain.
Katsuya's wince might as well be in 72-point bold Verdana, blinking in neon over his head. It was easy for baseline humans to hear plaga song as a high-pitched squeal, like a cheap dog whistle. But even then, it shouldn't have been that much of a wince. Sure, it was annoying sometimes, but not painful. Her eyes cut across the table from Sammy to Katsuya, and she frowns thoughtfully. Hmm.
"Star Wars is something of a cultural touchstone on many worlds," Frankie puts in quietly. "It enjoyed a resurgence here in the last couple of years with several new movies and cartoons."
"And they're just cool," insists Sammy, oblivious to his mother's thoughtful expression. "I want a lightsaber."
"No," Hips says simply, spearing another piece of beef with her fork. "You alright, Katsuya?"
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Katsuya's wince might as well be in 72-point bold Verdana, blinking in neon over his head. It was easy for baseline humans to hear plaga song as a high-pitched squeal, like a cheap dog whistle. But even then, it shouldn't have been that much of a wince. Sure, it was annoying sometimes, but not painful. Her eyes cut across the table from Sammy to Katsuya, and she frowns thoughtfully. Hmm.
"Star Wars is something of a cultural touchstone on many worlds," Frankie puts in quietly. "It enjoyed a resurgence here in the last couple of years with several new movies and cartoons."
"And they're just cool," insists Sammy, oblivious to his mother's thoughtful expression. "I want a lightsaber."
"No," Hips says simply, spearing another piece of beef with her fork. "You alright, Katsuya?"