Even if it had been an invitation to stay, Maea was of a mind to melt into the night. While she wasn't exactly rushing, there was a sense of urgency over the efficiency with which she packed up, amply spooked by a decision that would inevitably lead to the kind of scrutiny into her emotions and thoughts she normally reserved for the closest of friends. That she did this at all - asking for help, inviting criticism and judgement from someone who didn't know her at all - only showed how desperate she was becoming.
Pausing over the neat stack of papers to accept the address between delicate fingertips, she couldn't quite shake the feeling of being about to step into a cage, or perhaps undressing in public. Maybe both at the same time? A hasty smile ghosted past her lips, though, because for all that she wasn't fond of being assessed, she didn't dislike this woman.
"Thank you. I have an office in the Atheneum... that should work well enough, I think. It was nice to meet you too. Enjoy the rest of your evening."
Emptying her drink, Maea got up and offered Elizabeth a final wave before heading off. Drowned in the black of her garments and shorter than the vast majority of the crowd, the picture of her back painted a story all of its own - a lonesome tale, and a stubborn one, and perhaps not for the faint of heart.
Elizabeth might find that she would have her work cut out for her with this one.
[FIN]
Pausing over the neat stack of papers to accept the address between delicate fingertips, she couldn't quite shake the feeling of being about to step into a cage, or perhaps undressing in public. Maybe both at the same time? A hasty smile ghosted past her lips, though, because for all that she wasn't fond of being assessed, she didn't dislike this woman.
"Thank you. I have an office in the Atheneum... that should work well enough, I think. It was nice to meet you too. Enjoy the rest of your evening."
Emptying her drink, Maea got up and offered Elizabeth a final wave before heading off. Drowned in the black of her garments and shorter than the vast majority of the crowd, the picture of her back painted a story all of its own - a lonesome tale, and a stubborn one, and perhaps not for the faint of heart.
Elizabeth might find that she would have her work cut out for her with this one.
[FIN]
Maea
Just a glimpse of truth
