It’s almost like hugging stone, but there is a sense of relief when he touches her back - the small gesture of resting his head against her shoulder. Accepting her presence, if nothing else. If only she could send some of her life into him, if only he would accept it if she could.
She wonders how she can feel colder without his presence next to her, but maybe it’s his words when he steps away. The finality of them. It awakens something within her - and it’s not sadness. Not anger either, exactly, but when she looks back at him now it is without tears in her eyes. “Kensley.” It’s the tone of voice she uses with her children, the voice of a practiced mother who has dealt with her fair share of stubborn children.
“I have not known you very long, but I do not believe you deserve this. You do not deserve to be unhappy, in pain, or even uncomfortable for the rest of your life.” Oh Agetta, if only you knew how hypocritical this speech made you. How you’ve been torturing yourself out of guilt for the better part of a century, if not since birth.
But, she never had anyone there to say she did not deserve it. She only had her own voice. The second stage of her life had been a very lonely one until now. Agetta is rediscovering what it means to have friends, to have a family, and through that finding the fire that lights within her heart to protect and help them at all costs.
So although her voice is still soft and understanding, there is a firm edge to it that, she hopes, makes it clear that she will not accept any arguments from him. “It is hard to ask friends for favours but if there was ever a time, this is it.” Whoever this friend of his may be, she cannot imagine her turning him down. Not in this state.
“Where does she live? I will go with you.”
@[kensley]