[The prodding has him shifting away again, in something that's not - quite - a flinch. It's not uncomfortable, not physically. But it's been entirely too long since anyone has cared to look so closely at him. To get so close, and he's long since forgotten what it's like to have someone so thoroughly inclined to let him fall into his usual habits.
Like, for instance, not giving a straight answer. Which it should be noted is still not his immediate response.]
Forgive me. I've forgotten what it's like to speak to someone with such a genuine interest.
[The apology is - mostly - genuine. But there's still something in his voice that makes it ring just that little bit off. Like it's something that's almost forced, regardless of how true it is. Still, he does at least continue on. And better still, the almost-forced tone is gone from his voice.]
Besides, it's not as if I didn't choose to answer. Although I'll admit that, yes, I wasn't expecting quite so many questions.
[Even if he probably should have, between her being an echo of one of his oldest friends and newly arrived to the First besides.]
no subject
Like, for instance, not giving a straight answer. Which it should be noted is still not his immediate response.]
Forgive me. I've forgotten what it's like to speak to someone with such a genuine interest.
[The apology is - mostly - genuine. But there's still something in his voice that makes it ring just that little bit off. Like it's something that's almost forced, regardless of how true it is. Still, he does at least continue on. And better still, the almost-forced tone is gone from his voice.]
Besides, it's not as if I didn't choose to answer. Although I'll admit that, yes, I wasn't expecting quite so many questions.
[Even if he probably should have, between her being an echo of one of his oldest friends and newly arrived to the First besides.]