He watched her as she made her offer and drew a slow breath that he held for a count of five before he swallowed and then exhaled softly. "Thank you," he finally said, solemn but with a tightness at the corners of his eyes. "I will remember it. If it protects my people." He was not happy about it, but he was pragmatic enough that he did not reject the idea out of hand. It was an unpleasant weight on his chest, however, and he contemplated his almost-empty glass while Maea began to braid her white hair.
The rain outside was oddly fitting for the mood in the quiet bar. Grey and uncomfortably chill, the air held a clamminess that seemed to get right down to his bones. The alcohol might have warmed Maea, but Hadama did not seem to feel it as he was...
Not pushed away. But set adrift.
"...Then do not be a stranger," he said at last, pushing his chair back and rising slowly. He settled emerald eyes on Maea, searching her face wordlessly before he looked away. "You do not need to be 'useful' to visit here. Or to visit me." He bowed to her then and when he straightened the neutral serenity was back in place over his expression. "But I should return to work now. I hope I will see you again soon." Leaving the last bit of his drink, he turned and made his careful, dignified way back through the small bar and out into the rain once more.
~Fin~
The rain outside was oddly fitting for the mood in the quiet bar. Grey and uncomfortably chill, the air held a clamminess that seemed to get right down to his bones. The alcohol might have warmed Maea, but Hadama did not seem to feel it as he was...
Not pushed away. But set adrift.
"...Then do not be a stranger," he said at last, pushing his chair back and rising slowly. He settled emerald eyes on Maea, searching her face wordlessly before he looked away. "You do not need to be 'useful' to visit here. Or to visit me." He bowed to her then and when he straightened the neutral serenity was back in place over his expression. "But I should return to work now. I hope I will see you again soon." Leaving the last bit of his drink, he turned and made his careful, dignified way back through the small bar and out into the rain once more.
~Fin~
