The apology smarts -- for a couple of reasons -- none of which are any fault of Pearl's. Rose winces. Her voice stays easy, though. "Shhhh... none of that." The position is a bit ungainly, but Rose manages to shape herself to Pearl well enough: has her curled halfway in her lap as she burrows into her neck. Rose has her wrapped up just enough that one hand is free to rub circles in her back, and this she does now -- careful as a craftsman. Tacky skin notwithstanding.

Slow, clockwise, slow; stroke of thumb; slow, clockwise, slow.

"You didn't do anything wrong. You did so well, sweetheart." Rose can feel the teartracks, even through her shirt. She drops a kiss in Pearl's damp hair. Hums, a little. "So good."