not only did she act with assurance and determination, she acted with a
certain pinch of fear- how would the world come to terms if mei-ling zhou
was not the hero the public had made her out to be? what if the scientist
who lived was not as spectacular as her story was? a desire to keep up
with her own legacy, carrying a large stack of books was certainly not the
task she could give up. it was evident that she didn`t want his help by an
embittered pout of her lips-
but how could she deny someone`s kindness? she stood straighter, heaving
the books closer to her and standing with a lot more comfort. well, his help
would certainly not be going to waste. a tilt of her head, she mumbled a
small thank you and motioned for him to follow her to her destination- her lab.
❝ death seems to like granting me favors. i`m sorry, but moderation isn`t
something i enjoy. especially with how much work i can get done without it. ❞
there was a solemn air laced around her words, but she still flashed him a
bright smile, pacing herself to walk in time with him.
for a hot second there jesse was almost sure the scientist was about to berate him for going against her insistence of being fine. she pouted, but he could breathe a sigh of relief when that was ALL that she did ❪ even if that look almost made him feel like he'd done something wrong ❫. ❝ no problem, darlin', ❞ jesse mused to her thanks, following alongside her with an almost lazy strut, partly due to the fact his typical strides were far longer than hers. had to make up for that vertical difference somehow.
words struck him as a little odd ------ a little sad. determination was no BAD thing, not on it's own, but it could very easily lead to some self destructive paths if one let it consume them. ❝ all work and no play? not surprisin' you'd be the type for it, 'course i can't say i condone that sort a lifestyle. then again you're doin' more important work than i ever have. ❞ his chuckle was low and deep, rumbling through his chest. jesse didn't approve of her attitude, but that didn't mean he couldn't understand where it came from.
❝ hope you know this is just incentive t'get you to slack off with me sometimes. take a trip outside that lab for some reason other than book fetchin'. i bet you even sleep in there. ❞