Elizabeth
His words brought another soft blush to her cheeks that she disguised with a hand on her lips and a disbelieving laugh, its sound coiling gently between them like a gust of warm air. "I highly doubt that." Whether that was her saying 'the most interesting thing' he'd ever heard, or that she was smarter than Iskra, Elizabeth didn't believe either - even if there was an extremely flattered smile on her face. Especially as he shared some of his own view of the world, the experience that had left him prioritizing safety over the actions and motives of the world. It made her all the more grateful for her spoiled upbringing, the one that gave her the space to investigate and be curious of the world from the protective embrace of her parents.
Tilting her head to meet his eyes with a soothing look, Elizabeth said, "It sounds like you could use some security to give you a chance to think about the bigger workings of the world." Perhaps it was forward in a 'therapist' sort of way, but it was hard to keep the hat from her head when the alcohol still gave her an extra dose of boldness. Even more so as she said gently, "I could help with that." She meant in 'sessions' and 'therapy,' but she wouldn't withhold assistance in other areas if Iskra asked.
The questions made her laugh again, bright with remnants of their earlier hysterics. "Oh no no. It would be extremely dull, and I prefer to read rather than write. This is mainly for notes or observations." If only to prove as much, she opened the notebook to a random page, pushing it across the table so that he could see it was covered in an elegant script about her recent assessment of a fascinating bout of negotiations in the market. There were assumptions and theories about why the woman had been so set on the particular set of mittens, and why the man might have been so firm on the price, some nonverbal display of body language resulting in a mutual respect and understanding that allowed them to come to an agreement despite nearly fifteen minutes of arguing.
To most people, the interaction would be mundane and something unworthy of attention; but to Elizabeth, there was so much more to every nuanced piece of communication, and her eyes glowed in the soft brown lighting of the bar. As if it was the most common thing, she shrugged her shoulders in explanation. "I like to people watch." Although the way she leaned forward against the table implied that she'd only really been watching one person tonight, her attentions undivided since he'd sat down.
Tilting her head to meet his eyes with a soothing look, Elizabeth said, "It sounds like you could use some security to give you a chance to think about the bigger workings of the world." Perhaps it was forward in a 'therapist' sort of way, but it was hard to keep the hat from her head when the alcohol still gave her an extra dose of boldness. Even more so as she said gently, "I could help with that." She meant in 'sessions' and 'therapy,' but she wouldn't withhold assistance in other areas if Iskra asked.
The questions made her laugh again, bright with remnants of their earlier hysterics. "Oh no no. It would be extremely dull, and I prefer to read rather than write. This is mainly for notes or observations." If only to prove as much, she opened the notebook to a random page, pushing it across the table so that he could see it was covered in an elegant script about her recent assessment of a fascinating bout of negotiations in the market. There were assumptions and theories about why the woman had been so set on the particular set of mittens, and why the man might have been so firm on the price, some nonverbal display of body language resulting in a mutual respect and understanding that allowed them to come to an agreement despite nearly fifteen minutes of arguing.
To most people, the interaction would be mundane and something unworthy of attention; but to Elizabeth, there was so much more to every nuanced piece of communication, and her eyes glowed in the soft brown lighting of the bar. As if it was the most common thing, she shrugged her shoulders in explanation. "I like to people watch." Although the way she leaned forward against the table implied that she'd only really been watching one person tonight, her attentions undivided since he'd sat down.
Dive into the sea of thought,
and find there pearls beyond price.
and find there pearls beyond price.
