flowers in your hair

VARUS

She's making him slip up a fraction, or perhaps it’s because of his need for closeness, some sort of contact, a friend as he once had many of to get to know him and keep him from falling too far over the edge into becoming the soldier he did. But there’s something about her that gathers his trust, and her offer to help him is accepted with a small almost sad smile. “Thanks, but I doubt people would remember the name much.” It’s been centuries, after all, and he was the last one as far as he knew. “If you want to try though, my family name is Callahan.” His gaze settles on her, wondering if she’d draw attention to the fact that he went by Cal, how it wasn’t exactly his true first name he’d given her but the last name like a soldier.

The gentle smile is received and given back, nodding in understanding. “Would be nice to run some scans now and then instead of pretending it doesn’t exist.” He bounces back with his humor, but doesn’t quite delve into the true reasons of resting his mind — the whole brooding ordeal he’d go through the moment he stopped constantly going.

Isla brightens and with it, it drags him into it too and he watches her with a soft smile. “That’s good then. I’m happy for you.” He offers her with a decisive nod. “Makes it easier having that connection.” One he didn’t really have so much anymore, but he understood it all the same.

and i find sorrow in idle minds
and solace in being heard