[o] Shelves upon shelves

Sing to me, I am not doing well
Getting tired of my own words

It grew easier to smile with every time she tried. The young man was a comforting presence, no matter that she didn't know him well, and while she sensed the questions brewing behind his eyes, he did not push her to talk. Gradually her shoulders came down, the chin lifting so that she might meet his gaze a touch easier.
"I appreciate that. Actually, if you still want to.... I could use some way to keep my clothes from burning. Unfortunately they're still flammable, even if I am not. You don't have to, of course, and I understand if it is something that takes time... It is up to you."

Biting her tongue to stop herself from rambling, Maea hoped it wasn't rude to keep talking about the gift he had offered like no time had passed. It had been months since they worked together and the had done all of nothing for a long while, and yet... If she could, if there was a chance... she really still wanted to be of use. Against the void, the critters, the Family... Anything that threatened good people and their lives, really.

Sing to me, cause I can't hear myself
through the loudness of my own hurts

base inspired by Odd <3