Her shoulders slumped in defeat at his admission. Had the lift continued on without its abrupt stop Percy and she would have passed one another like two dark ships in the night. And, given that she no longer had any business with the ministry, another decade would be wasted. Though, perhaps it was better that way. Her life was presently complicated enough without reliving the hardest decision she ever faced. Maggie was prepared to let the conversation die there. To accept that they were no longer acquainted and carry on with her life. Thirteen years was a lifetime - longer even than their friendship existed for. It was only natural to leave it behind them.
Except, Percy spoke again after several painfully soundless moments. And this time...well, Maggie wasn't quite sure what to make of it. Despite her absolute certainty that he had to have recognized her before she him, she couldn't blame him for not breaking the ice. A woman in full mourning wasn't easily approached (mostly because the majority tended to avoid overly emotional situations). Maggie knew she wouldn't have attempted a conversation with someone as distracted as she were the situation reversed. However, those rules didn't apply to Percy - had never applied to Percy. He was still, even after all this time, the exception to her rules.
She sighed and dropped her arms uselessly to her sides. What a mess she made with her assumptions. "I'm sorry...I thought when you didn't say anything first..." Maggie trailed off, not wanting to shine light on her worst thoughts. What would he think of now? A neurotic widow with a parade of tiny coffins behind her. There was little reason for him to want to befriend her again. "I'm sorry." She repeated simply.
Except, Percy spoke again after several painfully soundless moments. And this time...well, Maggie wasn't quite sure what to make of it. Despite her absolute certainty that he had to have recognized her before she him, she couldn't blame him for not breaking the ice. A woman in full mourning wasn't easily approached (mostly because the majority tended to avoid overly emotional situations). Maggie knew she wouldn't have attempted a conversation with someone as distracted as she were the situation reversed. However, those rules didn't apply to Percy - had never applied to Percy. He was still, even after all this time, the exception to her rules.
She sighed and dropped her arms uselessly to her sides. What a mess she made with her assumptions. "I'm sorry...I thought when you didn't say anything first..." Maggie trailed off, not wanting to shine light on her worst thoughts. What would he think of now? A neurotic widow with a parade of tiny coffins behind her. There was little reason for him to want to befriend her again. "I'm sorry." She repeated simply.