“Huh?” Oh, right, she didn’t know. It’s not like Kay doesn’t want to talk about it– it’s just not the sort of thing that comes up a lot. She scoots a little closer to Athena; it’s not just because she’s cold (she is), but also because she likes being close to people, especially talking about stuff like this.
“Yeah. After grandpa died, I lived by myself for a little while. I was OK, though, he taught me how to take care of myself. It’s how I do so good on my own here, too!” Honestly, she kinda took care of herself while he was alive, too, but… she puts her head in her hand, covering up the scars without even really thinking about it.
“It’s all kind of a bummer, really… I was just thinking I’m glad to have a home and really good friends now. Like you, Miss Athena! I’m doing way better now, so you don’t have to worry.”
If she remembers correctly, it’s called a tell -- more Apollo’s expertise, not hers -- in not the voice, but the hints of tension in the body language, a muscle movement or tic borne out of habit. This isn’t an interrogation, prying into someone’s past with an urgent time limit for a resolution -- or a session -- but Athena doesn’t miss her fingers resting over old marks on the side of her face, and an urge rises to point it out, make a note--
It’s a habit that won’t leave her any time soon, for better or worse. Neither will the empathic surge within Athena that understands, or wants to understand what a lonely little girl goes through to get what is necessary done. What brought her here, from near-nothing to a solid network of support.
“Of course! I don’t think you’d be left alone here even if you wanted to.” A grin. Her palm moves in the motion to ruffle her hair, but gives Kay’s head only a firm pat, instead. “You’re stuck with us. We’re going to make sure nothing bad happens to you. I swear it on my honor!”
Here the tone of her voice turns a little somber. Without much thought, a finger trails down from there, touching gently to Kay’s knuckles where they lay over her face. A quiet declaration that she knows of their existence, but not demanding of an explanation.
“And you’ve been hurt before, haven’t you?”
