Samuel looked lost. Themis decided it was one of the most unsettling sights she knew. She didn't need him to have all the answers, but the sight of him without any had her spinning. It was her duty now to know things. It was her place to rule in this room, to command the proceedings here. She, at least, shouldn't look so out of place in her own quarters. She wanted to pace, to run, to swim, anything to burn the anxious energy in her body, anything to make the fear silence itself for one blissful moment.
She couldn't miss the details he didn't want her to see, the signs that things weren't all right. She wasn't fooled easily and, truthfully, wasn't sure if it was better to know the truth or exist in ignorance. She always chose knowledge, but today, knowing seemed like a pyrrhic victory. She would believe what he told her; it was decided. She could wrestle with the implications of her stupid decisions in one of the many hours that stretched on without him. She took his hand, hers holding tight as if she could will him back to health and cheer him on to success. She ignored her misgiving as he looked her in the eye and promised an end to both of their suffering. He needed to be correct; it was of vital importance.
She nodded, needing to believe him, but her misgivings made her twitchy, upset by every promise of tomorrow. "I want to believe you with every ounce of my being." She meant it, but she couldn't look away from him; she was afraid she would miss some vital clue to his dealings. There was so much she wanted to know but feared being answered. She busied herself tracing the scar on his palm, the action bringing her close, but offering no comfort. "I'm a fool." She hadn't meant to say it out loud. "There is so much I know I cannot ask you, and yet, I am flitting about like some war bride awaiting news from the front." Her tone made clear what she thought of this predicament. She was reduced to waiting on him, hoping he would give her the information she needed to live her life. It was unintentional, unwelcome, but she could shed him as quickly as she could shed her skin. Samuel was a part of her that seemed vital. "I am mortified to feel so inadequate, but I cannot think of a way to support you." She didn't add this with great reluctance, Themis found it hard not to slouch at the thought. She did not feel strong and upright; she did not feel correct. She was terrified, enamored, and confused. She wouldn't have wished this mix on anyone.
She couldn't miss the details he didn't want her to see, the signs that things weren't all right. She wasn't fooled easily and, truthfully, wasn't sure if it was better to know the truth or exist in ignorance. She always chose knowledge, but today, knowing seemed like a pyrrhic victory. She would believe what he told her; it was decided. She could wrestle with the implications of her stupid decisions in one of the many hours that stretched on without him. She took his hand, hers holding tight as if she could will him back to health and cheer him on to success. She ignored her misgiving as he looked her in the eye and promised an end to both of their suffering. He needed to be correct; it was of vital importance.
She nodded, needing to believe him, but her misgivings made her twitchy, upset by every promise of tomorrow. "I want to believe you with every ounce of my being." She meant it, but she couldn't look away from him; she was afraid she would miss some vital clue to his dealings. There was so much she wanted to know but feared being answered. She busied herself tracing the scar on his palm, the action bringing her close, but offering no comfort. "I'm a fool." She hadn't meant to say it out loud. "There is so much I know I cannot ask you, and yet, I am flitting about like some war bride awaiting news from the front." Her tone made clear what she thought of this predicament. She was reduced to waiting on him, hoping he would give her the information she needed to live her life. It was unintentional, unwelcome, but she could shed him as quickly as she could shed her skin. Samuel was a part of her that seemed vital. "I am mortified to feel so inadequate, but I cannot think of a way to support you." She didn't add this with great reluctance, Themis found it hard not to slouch at the thought. She did not feel strong and upright; she did not feel correct. She was terrified, enamored, and confused. She wouldn't have wished this mix on anyone.
![[Image: Bka0H0x.jpeg]](https://i.imgur.com/Bka0H0x.jpeg)