He isn't going to summon, oh no, the monk is just going to find her and sit beside her. Setting down a cup of hot chocolate and a plate of fresh bread. Maha will say nothing for now, simply sip his own tea and probably look very much like a stubborn feline that will now not be moved no matter what she says.
“You don’t have to…” she half-starts the usual argument, trailing off with a tired sigh. She doesn’t really have the energy to push him away or pull him closer.
Instead, she just curls further in on herself, that little plea the only thing she does to acknowledge his presence beyond eyeing the food and drink as it’s set down.
"I think you are also what you say biased. Many do not wish for my quiet company I think." He said, but he did smile gently and wrapped an arm around her.
"You are lovely, Mana. I am thankful you are my friend."
“I’m not biased! I’ve done the research! Ten out of seven mages agree, Maha is wonderful and the best company!”
She winds her own arms around the other mage, squeezing gently.
"I suppose…" He paused, lips pressing into a thin line for a moment. "I suppose I do not fully understand this mask you talk about." He admitted. "Do you not feel fully human?" Maha knew he was different, he had fused himself together with his soul, the being that had been split from him, torn out when he was in Egypt. Perhaps he might not ever understand having to attempt to feel more human.
"You always seem like a human to me." He said with a definitive nod. Though he straightened to look at her. "Mana? Are you one of those 'alien' things Doom talks about? Is that why you must feel human?" But that wouldn't make sense, he knew her in Egypt. Perhaps not well at the time, but he did.
The poor monk was giving it his best try to understand anyway.
She took a moment to process what he was asking.
“No, not an alien, darling.” She couldn’t help the huff of laughter. “Though please, feel free to tell Doom I am one, I’m sure he would enjoy that thought.”
“I guess… the easiest way to describe it…” She had to think about this. How to word it so she didn’t worry him too much.
“I don’t feel like… I can connect with others easily. Truly, that is. It feels like, despite the fact that I did, I no longer seem to understand other people. It makes me feel disconnected and alone, even while I’m around other people.”
She stretched her hand out, surveying it. “It’s probably a lot less complicated to say I am depressed, everything is exhausting enough… there are points where I’m okay, and I enjoy being with people and it’s fine. I belong… but then it gets hard again, and I feel awful. Like I shouldn’t be around people, like I’ll taint them by existing nearby, and that no one could ever love me if I was honest… so I wear a mask, I play the part of someone warm and bubbly.”
“Some days it’s true though, and some days… it’s too difficult to pretend. It’s why I feel… like an alien, as you put it.” She sighed. “There’s probably some medical term for it these days. Who knows.”
He was quiet for a moment, just thinking over her words, slowly sorting through his thoughts. "I think it is one of those things that will never be entirely correct. I am not sure one can make everyone happy, no matter how one acts, or what one does." He said.
"I am glad you feel you do not need to pretend with me, and that I can be of use and help." He smiled softly. "I think you will do just fine, even without being a healer. You can still tie bandages and soothe them with company and gentle words."
“Mm… you’re not wrong,” she admits slowly. “But… the mask isn’t necessarily for others. It’s to help me feel a little more human again. It just… feels hollow.”
“Let me know when you need help, I’m always happy to.”
