Elizabeth
It was hard not to laugh when Iskra called her out, caught red handed with her therapist hat hovering just over her brown waves. She pointed a hand at him in return, amusement painted on every inch of her face. "You're the one who suggested 'brooding' as the first action of the night." Her own tone was teasing in its playfulness without an ounce of accusation, not bothered by whatever had prompted him to suggest such a melancholy activity. Although if he ever wanted to share that with her someday, he would find a resounding lack of judgement in the warm embrace of validation and acceptance.
With her notebook in his hands, Elizabeth watched his expression, wondering what he might think of her strange view of the world. At first, she didn't really care, tilting her head in curiosity as his eyes scanned the page; but as each silent second passed, she began to think that it might have been a little much, half-expecting him to get up and leave in light of her insanity. She was just beginning to sooth her own worries in preparation for his reaction when his gaze flicked to hers, the depth of his appreciation making her tight breath release, a surprised blush accentuating her soft laughter. Her heart fluttered against the reassurance of her passions, full of confirmation in her abilities.
Despite the mead that was starting to slowly retreat from her system, the laughter had been enough of an inebriating factor to keep her from slipping into her usual realm of analytics, and Elizabeth didn't notice any fear in Iskra's expression. "I wouldn't say 'everything', but I've spent a lot of time learning about people. There's nothing more fascinating that relationships and the human mind." The smile on her face was certain and content in the awareness of herself and her purpose in life, having been one of the lucky few who'd known from a young age.
Elizabeth didn't immediately reach for the notebook, not in a rush to guard or protect the contents of her mind after his many compliments. Instead, she tapped a light finger against her lips, thinking. "I guess that depends on what kind of topics interest you. Do you want to learn something new? Learn more about something you enjoy? Escape the world?" She'd read them all, choosing to rotate between genres depending on her mood and current interests, although cozy romances were her personal favorite for multiple reasons, especially when she was curled up next to the fireplace at night with a steaming mug of tea. Something told her that Iskra wasn't the 'sappy cliche romance' kind of reader.
With her notebook in his hands, Elizabeth watched his expression, wondering what he might think of her strange view of the world. At first, she didn't really care, tilting her head in curiosity as his eyes scanned the page; but as each silent second passed, she began to think that it might have been a little much, half-expecting him to get up and leave in light of her insanity. She was just beginning to sooth her own worries in preparation for his reaction when his gaze flicked to hers, the depth of his appreciation making her tight breath release, a surprised blush accentuating her soft laughter. Her heart fluttered against the reassurance of her passions, full of confirmation in her abilities.
Despite the mead that was starting to slowly retreat from her system, the laughter had been enough of an inebriating factor to keep her from slipping into her usual realm of analytics, and Elizabeth didn't notice any fear in Iskra's expression. "I wouldn't say 'everything', but I've spent a lot of time learning about people. There's nothing more fascinating that relationships and the human mind." The smile on her face was certain and content in the awareness of herself and her purpose in life, having been one of the lucky few who'd known from a young age.
Elizabeth didn't immediately reach for the notebook, not in a rush to guard or protect the contents of her mind after his many compliments. Instead, she tapped a light finger against her lips, thinking. "I guess that depends on what kind of topics interest you. Do you want to learn something new? Learn more about something you enjoy? Escape the world?" She'd read them all, choosing to rotate between genres depending on her mood and current interests, although cozy romances were her personal favorite for multiple reasons, especially when she was curled up next to the fireplace at night with a steaming mug of tea. Something told her that Iskra wasn't the 'sappy cliche romance' kind of reader.
Dive into the sea of thought,
and find there pearls beyond price.
and find there pearls beyond price.
