Thoughtful stroking means agonizingly slow, though she's not trying to tease, really. She's just thinking!

"... honestly? Probably. Anyone from Gotham would think I lost my freaking mind." Some did just by how close she was with Ezio once they learned of his actual occupation.

"No offense. You know, eventually... I think that was a part of it, whether I admitted or not. I was already in trouble being your friend."

Approval will always be a thing to her, no matter how far she thinks she's removed herself from that need for it. Maybe she's a little less desperate, now, but she couldn't throw it all away for a boy. Boys are trouble and rarely worth it, from her experiences thus far.