[His voice raises despite himself—not mockingly, not aggressively, but nervously, as if all of this emotion needs to go somewhere and it can't find anywhere but sheer volume to leak out. His eyes widen, too, in his helpless earnestness. How is he supposed to react to this sheet level of disbelief? It's strange; something about the situation puts them on even footing, for the first time, Nikolas feels, in a very long time. They're both floundering here. They're acting silly and awkward and childish, and that, somehow, helps matters.]
I promise you I've not mistaken you for anyone else, my dear! There is no one else your equal I could possibly take you for! Don't be silly!
no subject
[His voice raises despite himself—not mockingly, not aggressively, but nervously, as if all of this emotion needs to go somewhere and it can't find anywhere but sheer volume to leak out. His eyes widen, too, in his helpless earnestness. How is he supposed to react to this sheet level of disbelief? It's strange; something about the situation puts them on even footing, for the first time, Nikolas feels, in a very long time. They're both floundering here. They're acting silly and awkward and childish, and that, somehow, helps matters.]
I promise you I've not mistaken you for anyone else, my dear! There is no one else your equal I could possibly take you for! Don't be silly!