The smile on her lips fades and transforms until there’s nothing that could resemble a speck of cordiality in her. Brows knitted in a frown, some teeth that clench behind her pressed mouth. Is it anger what begins to take over her? Is it something else? The difference would be hard to attain with only the image of such darkness in her. A beast in the dark where a garden used to be. But the truth is, that she is actually scared. Terrified of a truth that sits patiently behind her and the possibility of hurting Muriel in a way she wouldn’t be able to undo in the front. No other paths beyond that. No turning or running or escaping her position. Just facing it, like she should always do and never really does.
“I say it was nothing, Muriel.” But… it is his kindness what changes everything. What makes it even more difficult to keep him out. She just feels… guilty. Mean. Everything that she wouldn’t feel if he had got mad at her. If he had yelled or pressed her back or do something, anything, that would justify being an utter bitch to him.
But he doesn’t. He worries and she feels once again how much she loves that giant that has become her friend. How much she doesn’t want to lose what they have, and how hard it is to fight herself in a moment where she only wants to close that goddamn door.
Another moment of silence goes by before she decides to speak again. An instant in which she closes her eyes and bit her lips trying to come up with a solution. A change in herself. Anything that could put them in the right path instead of that one-way road to hell she is this close of taking. And when she does, when she finally finds the strength to do so her eyes have tears in the corners and her mouth trembles with the force of her own embarrassment.
“I just- I really, really don’t want you to get mad at me.” A confession made in a mumble, barely audible even for him. But real, once and for all. “I don’t. I really don’t.”
If it had been anyone else, Muriel would have turned around and left. It would have been clear that they didn’t need his help, and that he was wasting his time by standing there and asking what was wrong. However, it wasn’t just anyone who stood before him right now: it was Nish, the apprentice that he had grown to care about during the short time that they had known each other, and who he now considered to be a friend of his. One that he found himself willing to do anything for, and now was the time to follow through with that line of thought.
He listens to her as she talks, trying to piece together what had happened. It was clear that she had been in some sort of fight, but he couldn’t quite tell what she had been in a fight with. Whatever had happened had left her in a state of distress, despite what she had initially claimed, and it wouldn’t be right to just walk away.
He wouldn’t be able to handle the guilt of doing so, especially if things were more serious than she was letting on.
“... I won’t get mad at you,” he says quietly. It wasn’t much of a reassurance, but it was better than nothing. “... just tell me what happened... and if you’re in any danger,” he then said, hesitating for a moment, as if he’s unsure of the reaction he will receive if he continues. “... can I... come in?”
