i may not follow, i may not lead, just walk beside me

Mercury settled himself more comfortably in front of Avantika, sensing that they would be conversing for at least a little while. He watched as she seemed to hesitate before answering, and for such an innocent answer it seemed to elicit a strong response from her. “It’s easy to get caught up in our thoughts” He said agreeably, but he was still watching her closely. He saw the hesitation, the uncertainty, and what seemed almost like shame. But he didn’t know her well, and assumed he was reading her wrong.

She had lost her smile however, and when it returned it was a smaller thing, an expression only. “I know I… brushed you off, last time we spoke” He had not been ready to answer her question. “But if you wish, I’ll tell it to you now.” His voice was gentle, rising in cadence at the end for the question both spoken and implied. If she wished, he would be an ear for her troubles, and trust her with his own.

"Mercury"