[The two words are an agreement, a pardon, a command to ease. She doesn't need to understand - he does. In asking for quarter, she is doing exactly what he requested of her, responding to her own needs rather than her perception of his expectation. She can change the subject. He won't press.
She folds the teddy bear up, closes down on herself a little, and Ben steps back to give her space. His fingertips itch to pull at the edge of his shirt, to pick at the stiff bloodstain, to seek out the individual threads of the stitched hem, but he schools himself to steadiness. He pushes it away, as he pushes himself away, just enough to hold himself separate.
Abigail. Abigail is the point, here. The fingers of his other hand press small, subtle creases into the cover of the folder, but his questions do not come first just now.]
no subject
[The two words are an agreement, a pardon, a command to ease. She doesn't need to understand - he does. In asking for quarter, she is doing exactly what he requested of her, responding to her own needs rather than her perception of his expectation. She can change the subject. He won't press.
She folds the teddy bear up, closes down on herself a little, and Ben steps back to give her space. His fingertips itch to pull at the edge of his shirt, to pick at the stiff bloodstain, to seek out the individual threads of the stitched hem, but he schools himself to steadiness. He pushes it away, as he pushes himself away, just enough to hold himself separate.
Abigail. Abigail is the point, here. The fingers of his other hand press small, subtle creases into the cover of the folder, but his questions do not come first just now.]
What can I answer for you?