She felt his gaze as she spoke. Themis felt a familiar, near-automatic pressure to justify herself, her credentials, and her existence to this man observing her. She was ready to defend her opinions and observations, somehow knowing there would be resistance to her ideas. At least, that was what she anticipated. She was caught off guard by Samuel’s willingness to listen to her. Themis had mastered the art of being heard, but active listening from a male peer was still a surprise. She was twice shocked when he admitted a possible need to redirect his opinion.
She saw him for what he was, Samuel a fallible human, and it made her care in a way that confused her. As much as she adored absolutes, she lived in a world of ambiguity and nuance. It didn’t make her any more comfortable when she couldn’t identify her sentiments.
“I think familiarity comes from sharing a common vocabulary. Astronomy studies the planets and stars, Astrology implies that there is some metaphysical connection between the heavens and earth, and Alchemy applies this connection to the physical world. I think it more a spectrum of tangibility.” She had given too much thought to their experiment now a month past. She’d dreamed of copper, the feel of her magic, and the unfamiliar pressure of Samuel’s own power. How could she not? Something pulled her toward him repeatedly, much like the sun did the planets, but Themis was strangely hesitant to ask to continue.
“Seems a bit early to be proposing, Samuel.” She couldn’t keep herself from commenting and immediately considered blaming the statement on the wine she understood what he was offering. “You’re serious.” She did not ask. “You’re willing to teach me?” She didn’t bother to hide her surprise, but was genuine in her eager response, “Of course, it would be an honor to learn with you. I only hope I have enough to offer in exchange.”
She saw him for what he was, Samuel a fallible human, and it made her care in a way that confused her. As much as she adored absolutes, she lived in a world of ambiguity and nuance. It didn’t make her any more comfortable when she couldn’t identify her sentiments.
“I think familiarity comes from sharing a common vocabulary. Astronomy studies the planets and stars, Astrology implies that there is some metaphysical connection between the heavens and earth, and Alchemy applies this connection to the physical world. I think it more a spectrum of tangibility.” She had given too much thought to their experiment now a month past. She’d dreamed of copper, the feel of her magic, and the unfamiliar pressure of Samuel’s own power. How could she not? Something pulled her toward him repeatedly, much like the sun did the planets, but Themis was strangely hesitant to ask to continue.
“Seems a bit early to be proposing, Samuel.” She couldn’t keep herself from commenting and immediately considered blaming the statement on the wine she understood what he was offering. “You’re serious.” She did not ask. “You’re willing to teach me?” She didn’t bother to hide her surprise, but was genuine in her eager response, “Of course, it would be an honor to learn with you. I only hope I have enough to offer in exchange.”
![[Image: Bka0H0x.jpeg]](https://i.imgur.com/Bka0H0x.jpeg)