eyes can't shine unless there's something burning bright behind
Aurelia can relate, to the murky waters of a life well-earned. At least that's how she tries to see it. All of the struggles, all of the losses, all of those crushed dreams.. they can't truly be for nothing. She has a future here, she knows it now, can feel it pulsing into her blood and strengthening her bones.
"Good thing you're a strong swimmer, then," she half-jokes, though her tone is rather flat, but it's based on a multitude of things. She doesn't know of his experience at Fiat Lux with the mud monster, no, but she knows that he was nearly drowned as a child because of some primitive tradition - and she saw him rise from the depths of the ocean and escape hungry whale bellies. She doubts it will be the last time he rises to such challenge, even if it's not physical.
His hand comes for hers and Aurelia has an instinct to withdraw but she doesn't. Instead, her tired muscles brace and she lets the contact be made, just as she had reached for him. She finds a swell of warmth beating through her heart in reaction and her anxiety, her fear, her dread stills so that she can center on this moment.
Her expression softens into something hopeful. something... almost desperate. "You don't have to thank me," she murmurs whole-heartedly, shifting to lean in against the table and his presence, "Just accept it," she scoffs, in good nature, the smile sticking somehow, "just accept that I'm here for you. That's all I ask. If something happens to you, I want to know about it. I want to help you, and I'm not here to watch over you like a hawk so you have to let me know," she shakes her head, almost amused.
Her fingers curl beneath his and she uses her hand to nudge him, "I'm sorry, for getting angry," her gaze subconsciously lowers to their hands, "it's... the only way I know how to express myself most of the time. But I.. really, I'm not upset with you, Sunjata. I just don't like hearing you talk like this..."
"Good thing you're a strong swimmer, then," she half-jokes, though her tone is rather flat, but it's based on a multitude of things. She doesn't know of his experience at Fiat Lux with the mud monster, no, but she knows that he was nearly drowned as a child because of some primitive tradition - and she saw him rise from the depths of the ocean and escape hungry whale bellies. She doubts it will be the last time he rises to such challenge, even if it's not physical.
His hand comes for hers and Aurelia has an instinct to withdraw but she doesn't. Instead, her tired muscles brace and she lets the contact be made, just as she had reached for him. She finds a swell of warmth beating through her heart in reaction and her anxiety, her fear, her dread stills so that she can center on this moment.
Her expression softens into something hopeful. something... almost desperate. "You don't have to thank me," she murmurs whole-heartedly, shifting to lean in against the table and his presence, "Just accept it," she scoffs, in good nature, the smile sticking somehow, "just accept that I'm here for you. That's all I ask. If something happens to you, I want to know about it. I want to help you, and I'm not here to watch over you like a hawk so you have to let me know," she shakes her head, almost amused.
Her fingers curl beneath his and she uses her hand to nudge him, "I'm sorry, for getting angry," her gaze subconsciously lowers to their hands, "it's... the only way I know how to express myself most of the time. But I.. really, I'm not upset with you, Sunjata. I just don't like hearing you talk like this..."
Aurelia
