Thanks are - as in accordance with that assumed air of modesty of his - waved away with a dismissive flutter of his hand, after which he lets the door close with a soft âclickâ behind him and follows her at a comfortable distance.
Having walked this route a few times already, he expects few novelties out of the actual journey â but these few novelties he does expect will most likely be at the hands of his companion. Indeed, in and of herself, sheâs a curiosity deserving of contemplation: true, sheâd proved herself (loathe as he does to think of matters soâŚcrudely) the moment theyâd met, by means of her singing, but add to this her air of (assumed) nobility, the vague allusions to her past, even something as slight as the glimpse of her eye-teethâ Though he runs the risk of socialising in believing so, Diva might be enjoyable company yet.
That which briefly holds her attention similarly holds his. A glance - and nothing more than a glance - is thrown in the direction of the phantom limbs. He hadnât paused to give the things even a secondâs thought, but now that she brings to attention (albeit through only a murmur) the helpless arms, there is something noticeablyâŚdesperate about them â as there has been about all other gallery residents heâs met thus far, in fact. It crosses his mind only now that there might be something relevant to his interests in the case of the galleryâs nature, butâ Mm, such a line of thought is likely best left for when heâs without company, so that any company he has can have his undivided attention.
So, despite his musings, the gentleman doesnât address her one-word expression of mock sympathy (it was probably meant as an aside anyway, much as her voice was a mutter), and thus mirrors her again by way of turning to redirect his gaze to her.
âThe frameâŚ?â Her decision is received with a slight frown, a curious tilt of the head â although neither gesture intends to imply disapproval of her choice. Again, heâs actually rather impressed: if memory serves him correctly, his previous partner for this particular episode of the gallery had chosen to use canvas rather than frame; to see how her proposed way of going about this all unravels, then, occurs to him not without an inkling of (further) interest. After a few seconds of reflection, his lips pull into a thin smile as he parts with a half-shrug.
âWhatever you think would serve you -Â us, even, should you allow a joint investigation of some fashion - best. Iâd have no qualms with offering how I crossed the first time if need be for a point of comparison, but I donât believe it my right to impose and dictate how you should resolve this.â
