That word carries weight with it, and a dolor drags behind, so heavy that it brings her shoulders slowly to slump and her fingers to finally release him.
Is that what stays his hand when she shouts and shakes him and argues? Is it that he sees no use in wasting his power on stifling an angry girl, or because he finds her dear, precious, and would rather put up with her outbursts than be without?
Max cannot so easily say such things. She can't tell him that is also why she stays and can not let him hurt himself, and why...]
Me?
[It comes out coarsely, because even if he has not necessarily said so, even if he doesn't realize what he's said, her mind is working. He wants evil, and destruction, just as Ari had wanted to hurt and hate. And it is possible that she cannot understand Albedo, after all, but that it is Rubedo, who had failed to love, that she can relate to.
But if he doesn't have to think about those things so long as she's around... It comes down to a simple equation, really. It's her or death, and as daunting as the thought is, she will take responsibility for Albedo a thousand times over. She will choose despite her Flock, as she has before, because she won't sit around the rest of her life wondering if he had done it. She won't face coming to a city like this again someday without having him there to greet her.]
Then-
[She squares her shoulders to appear strong again, as well as to fend off argument.]
Then stay with me. I've kind of got this big project at home, you know? And I could use someone who...who knows stuff.
[She turns her head away, unable to face the mockery or distaste that might come across his face, and she shrugs as if it were no big deal, as if she weren't returning his feelings in a roundabout way because she can't find the words.]
no subject
That word carries weight with it, and a dolor drags behind, so heavy that it brings her shoulders slowly to slump and her fingers to finally release him.
Is that what stays his hand when she shouts and shakes him and argues? Is it that he sees no use in wasting his power on stifling an angry girl, or because he finds her dear, precious, and would rather put up with her outbursts than be without?
Max cannot so easily say such things. She can't tell him that is also why she stays and can not let him hurt himself, and why...]
Me?
[It comes out coarsely, because even if he has not necessarily said so, even if he doesn't realize what he's said, her mind is working. He wants evil, and destruction, just as Ari had wanted to hurt and hate. And it is possible that she cannot understand Albedo, after all, but that it is Rubedo, who had failed to love, that she can relate to.
But if he doesn't have to think about those things so long as she's around... It comes down to a simple equation, really. It's her or death, and as daunting as the thought is, she will take responsibility for Albedo a thousand times over. She will choose despite her Flock, as she has before, because she won't sit around the rest of her life wondering if he had done it. She won't face coming to a city like this again someday without having him there to greet her.]
Then-
[She squares her shoulders to appear strong again, as well as to fend off argument.]
Then stay with me. I've kind of got this big project at home, you know? And I could use someone who...who knows stuff.
[She turns her head away, unable to face the mockery or distaste that might come across his face, and she shrugs as if it were no big deal, as if she weren't returning his feelings in a roundabout way because she can't find the words.]
You woudn't be alone. I'd keep you busy.
[I'd take care of you.]