fancy seeing you here

He seemed to realize his infraction as he spoke softly and corrected himself about her family. Maybe it would have been amusing in a few years, but Belle wasn’t ready for it and Hemlock seemed to sense that as he assured her and spoke of his lowly position. She sighed softly and nodded just as gently while he continued.

The truth of her distress came out, and he spoke the truth. She had lost her husband and it was destroying her inside. She tried to put up a good front, but it was harder when they were speaking about him. Hemlock tried to assure her with his words, that she should take all the time she needed to mourn her lost love. Her husband and father of her children. Losing Archon hurt more than she could have imagined, and his missing presence was a black hold of misery.

Lilac gaze was forced to return to Hemlock and his amused smirk as he spoke about his experience with her teeth. She tried to force a smile but its authenticity was questionable with the tears still lingering in her eyes. ”I have little intention of forcing myself along,” she replied softly, her voice a little stronger than before. ”I’ve lost a bet, and that’s the real reason I’m here today. I did not intend to invoke his memory.” It was almost an apology for crying in front of him when they should have been enjoying their blind date. ”Our time is coming to a close, what else should I know about you, Hemlock?” She asked while removing a last tear from her cheek. She had to welcome the distraction, dwelling on Archon was too painful.