you must burn brighter than ever
The Honeybee awaited the verdict with her usual air of impatience, eyes narrowed, head tilting, speculation at the forefront of her mind. It came around just as wild as his own inner considerations; from the simplistic to the overly complicated (and what would be permitted in front of a large crowd of people; most of whom were already tossing them looks from running over their toddlers – whatever). Defensively, her arms twisted in front of her chest, on guard and ready for some armor and ammunition over a hoard of stickers.
His actual response, however, no matter how much she weighed and spun along her mind, wasn’t something anticipated. Her gaze widened slightly, the mild bewilderment there, before righting the ship as if she belonged on it all along. A message to the challenge like it was a battle cry and all she knew was how to up the ante. “Done,” without a beat of hesitation. Thereafter she might weigh out the reason for said statement, given that she often only spent a day or two at a time. Too much to do. Too many antics to unfurl. Perhaps it was a test to see if they wouldn’t kill each other. Maybe that was what he’d wanted all along and now he simply took the opportunity. Or there was nothing deeper for it, and she was staring at the well of self-reflection and searching for dubious ripples. If her pulse had quickened and her heart had begun a new crescendo, she didn't mention it.
Then she reached out her hand, as if to grant him a shake or snag the stickers back and claim victory.
His actual response, however, no matter how much she weighed and spun along her mind, wasn’t something anticipated. Her gaze widened slightly, the mild bewilderment there, before righting the ship as if she belonged on it all along. A message to the challenge like it was a battle cry and all she knew was how to up the ante. “Done,” without a beat of hesitation. Thereafter she might weigh out the reason for said statement, given that she often only spent a day or two at a time. Too much to do. Too many antics to unfurl. Perhaps it was a test to see if they wouldn’t kill each other. Maybe that was what he’d wanted all along and now he simply took the opportunity. Or there was nothing deeper for it, and she was staring at the well of self-reflection and searching for dubious ripples. If her pulse had quickened and her heart had begun a new crescendo, she didn't mention it.
Then she reached out her hand, as if to grant him a shake or snag the stickers back and claim victory.
Melita
