Thalassa
The disappointment is hard to miss as it pulls at her features and glistens in her eyes. She knows it's a lot to ask, and she can't be surprised that he won't stay, but that small inkling of fear remains, the one that says he'll leave her just like Pierce and never come back. The fact that she's going to be alone with this gaping hole that seems to have swallowed all her energy and motivations.
But she can't expect him to stay. Asta has work and other people to tend to, and as much as Thal wants to be selfish and beg him to keep her company until the pain stops, she doesn't know how long that will be. He doesn't deserve to be chained to her right now - not when she's so weak, feeling lost and useless. So Thal just nods in quiet understanding, cradling her drink close as she stares into the flames again, doing her best not to fall back into despair.
The shift in conversation does manage to distract her for a moment, pulling her attention from the ache pounding in her chest. Her eyes move to find his, the tiniest glint of concern and curiosity peeking through the unfocused haze of discomfort. "How so?"
But she can't expect him to stay. Asta has work and other people to tend to, and as much as Thal wants to be selfish and beg him to keep her company until the pain stops, she doesn't know how long that will be. He doesn't deserve to be chained to her right now - not when she's so weak, feeling lost and useless. So Thal just nods in quiet understanding, cradling her drink close as she stares into the flames again, doing her best not to fall back into despair.
The shift in conversation does manage to distract her for a moment, pulling her attention from the ache pounding in her chest. Her eyes move to find his, the tiniest glint of concern and curiosity peeking through the unfocused haze of discomfort. "How so?"
Walk with me to the end
Stare with me into the abyss
Stare with me into the abyss
