week three, sunday

[moraled]

[It's after everything... that he steps into the hotel lobby and sees her there. Even if they don't know the outcomes of the votes... she was under suspicion. For a long moment, he's quiet, expression tight--

And then he steps forward towards her, sighing.]

Madam Walken.

I do not intend to interrupt if you do not wish me here.

[He'll step right off if that's the case. But... if not...]

Comments

[moraled]

[... Oh.

That's...not what he was expecting at all. There's something painfully fragile, and yet painfully endearing, about a reason such as that. He frowns a little to himself, contemplative--and then he sighs.

Ultimately... he's still too much of a bleeding heart to decline something like that.]

... I still wish that you would focus first on your own safety.

However... I cannot and would not ever intend to tell you how you should feel. You may...naturally do as you please.

[He might not deserve it, but...that's not his call to make either, is it?]

[tightly]

[ Ultimately, such a vulnerable truth hadn't been so much as a last ditch attempt as just something she felt reasonably alright admitting. That he takes to it -- neither positively nor negatively, but not in resignation either, well.

For the first time in his presence, Chane's able to smile, slight and faint but there. ]

[moraled]

[... Honestly, what a nice smile. It may not be well-deserved, but... he appreciates seeing it.]

I fear I must have caused you a great deal of grief over the past few weeks, Madam Walken. I do apologize for that.

[tightly]

[ Look, her husband is a whimsical manchild acrobat, and her father a calculating mad scientist with immortality. You're underestimating her ability to cope with the trials of others.

Still, because she senses it's what he wants to hear (for a given definition of the word) -- ]

I accept your apology.

[moraled]

[Chane please.... he wouldn't have been fussed if she didn't accept it!

But he does accept that with a nod, simply, and changes the subject.]

How are you holding up?

[after...all of that disaster.]

[tightly]

[ Some things are just good manners, okay. Even if she's not always exercised it, she was brought up with proper rules of etiquette!

His subject change is accepted without fuss, ]

I am fine, for now.

[ Well aware that something could happen - to her, to Claire - that could change that in a split second. ]

[moraled]

[He knows as well .At some point... All he can do is pray for the best.]

... My hopes shall be with you as well.

[Please stay safe, Chane :'(]