Sieglinde listens, eyes somewhat downcast. Asher has always been someone she struggled to communicate with at times, not simply because how he spoke so casually and in modern words, but also because their experiences in life had been... so very different. But even with all that difference, the parts about how he was raised versus how she’d been, how he thought against how she did... ]
I do not think it is stupid.
[They could feel the same things.
Murmured, soft and low, even as she finally retakes her seat. Had she not also wondered what would happen if she returned to her world? Wondered if the forces closing in on her would be too strong to fight, that they would shape her life and there would have been no point to leaving her village at all? Wondered if despite all that had happened she might still be that naive, ignorant little girl, deep down?]
But-
[Tentatively... she reaches out and places a hand on his. Small, pale, marked with chemical burns and cuts here and there.]
You have changed. You can’t not have. Even if other things remain the same in your world, you must not doubt that.
Somehow he always finds himself being comforted by smaller, younger women. While there's still a bit of a burn that comes with the societal implications of such a thing, he has largely learned to accept it.
They are all smarter than him anyway.]
So've you.
[He grips that hand, gently, in a way that is uniquely Asher. The boy has got a strong grip for sure, but is not the kind that hurts or frightens. The law student is always a tad warmer than most people, a side effect of getting so worked up about everything all the time.]
It's okay to want to be happy, y'know.
[Touch comes to him more naturally than words do.
Most of the time it is how Asher prefers to communicate.]
[Don't worry Asher... Sieglinde is quite sure she's smarter than most everyone else, older, younger, male or female. It's not just you.
But she does manage to smile, just a little bit. Doesn't pull away from his touch, just... letting him have that. (Maybe, letting herself.) She knows she has changed. Changed... to the point that she sometimes worries that her world... won't hold the same wonder for her any longer. But that fear... she will not be able to face until the time comes.
His time has come first.]
... Thank you, Asher.
[She'd like to believe that... but until then... it was nice just to hear it.]
But you are the one who is to be happy first.
[Back in his world... and maybe it's safer there, compared to the work they do here... but.]
... Please be safe.
[She can't watch over him there. He'll be on his own... but.
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no subject
Sieglinde listens, eyes somewhat downcast. Asher has always been someone she struggled to communicate with at times, not simply because how he spoke so casually and in modern words, but also because their experiences in life had been... so very different. But even with all that difference, the parts about how he was raised versus how she’d been, how he thought against how she did... ]
I do not think it is stupid.
[They could feel the same things.
Murmured, soft and low, even as she finally retakes her seat. Had she not also wondered what would happen if she returned to her world? Wondered if the forces closing in on her would be too strong to fight, that they would shape her life and there would have been no point to leaving her village at all? Wondered if despite all that had happened she might still be that naive, ignorant little girl, deep down?]
But-
[Tentatively... she reaches out and places a hand on his. Small, pale, marked with chemical burns and cuts here and there.]
You have changed. You can’t not have. Even if other things remain the same in your world, you must not doubt that.
no subject
Somehow he always finds himself being comforted by smaller, younger women. While there's still a bit of a burn that comes with the societal implications of such a thing, he has largely learned to accept it.
They are all smarter than him anyway.]
So've you.
[He grips that hand, gently, in a way that is uniquely Asher. The boy has got a strong grip for sure, but is not the kind that hurts or frightens. The law student is always a tad warmer than most people, a side effect of getting so worked up about everything all the time.]
It's okay to want to be happy, y'know.
[Touch comes to him more naturally than words do.
Most of the time it is how Asher prefers to communicate.]
You've earned it.
no subject
But she does manage to smile, just a little bit. Doesn't pull away from his touch, just... letting him have that. (Maybe, letting herself.) She knows she has changed. Changed... to the point that she sometimes worries that her world... won't hold the same wonder for her any longer. But that fear... she will not be able to face until the time comes.
His time has come first.]
... Thank you, Asher.
[She'd like to believe that... but until then... it was nice just to hear it.]
But you are the one who is to be happy first.
[Back in his world... and maybe it's safer there, compared to the work they do here... but.]
... Please be safe.
[She can't watch over him there. He'll be on his own... but.
He'll be alright. After ALASTAIR, and Hathaway?
How can he not be.]