"Something done between two consenting individuals with all due precautions taken." It hadn't been terrible, that night. All told it'd been quite lovely and were Martel not...well...Martel perhaps it would have been worth keeping that door open for future nights she might not have wished to spend on her own. But Martel will ever be himself. But there is no love there- not in the way that most would think, and there would be no child.
"A person that is content with her work and pleased by her students, that is satisfied with the relationships I have built. Simply because I see no reason to take the risks you do does not make me less of one." Someone must be mindful. Someone must stand firm. Besides, she has too much to do and not enough time already, how could she possibly fit a courtship into her life?
"Content and pleased are good, and you're not less of a person no matter what you do or do not do. But are you happy?" He might not have the right to ask her that, but he cares. Possibly more than he should. Probably more than he should, and if he could cut back he would.
"And what business is it of yours?" They are- something. Not quite friends entirely for the distance she must maintain outside this tent and for all that she has not forgiven him, and likely never would, for what he'd done. Detlef she might have told.
But this is not Detlef. This is not a man just as tired and just as burdened by their vocation.
His lack of facial reaction might say just as much as anything visible would - Anders rarely has a blank face.
"Perhaps it's not." Maybe one day being pushed away would hurt less and he'd accept it and move on, leave what he feels in the dust. Today is apparently not that day. He stands and inclines his head as Purrelden scampers into his open palm. "Thank you for the tea. I'll look into our embrium stores, and tell Nate you're alive later, unless you choose to do so."
Kitten goes into pouch, and he's ready to go unless she asks him to stop, which he figures is highly unlikely.
Adelaide supposes Nathaniel received her message as well and that, perhaps, she does have at least one extra appointment for the day that ought be bumped up. Or maybe she could get away with a simple call. That might be best, truly. Anders she watches with little more than a cool look, fingers still idly batting at Remi's paws.
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"A person that is content with her work and pleased by her students, that is satisfied with the relationships I have built. Simply because I see no reason to take the risks you do does not make me less of one." Someone must be mindful. Someone must stand firm. Besides, she has too much to do and not enough time already, how could she possibly fit a courtship into her life?
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"Content and pleased are good, and you're not less of a person no matter what you do or do not do. But are you happy?" He might not have the right to ask her that, but he cares. Possibly more than he should. Probably more than he should, and if he could cut back he would.
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But this is not Detlef. This is not a man just as tired and just as burdened by their vocation.
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"Perhaps it's not." Maybe one day being pushed away would hurt less and he'd accept it and move on, leave what he feels in the dust. Today is apparently not that day. He stands and inclines his head as Purrelden scampers into his open palm. "Thank you for the tea. I'll look into our embrium stores, and tell Nate you're alive later, unless you choose to do so."
Kitten goes into pouch, and he's ready to go unless she asks him to stop, which he figures is highly unlikely.
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Complicated. Why is this so terribly complicated?