[ If he had said it - then it would be done. A cut line division that she would respect for his not wanting more, and her own needs. To draw that line in the sand and if how she deals with Washington is any proof, she can and will cut herself apart to deal with problems.
But when he doesn't, she smiles at him - might be for the first time properly given him. Warm, open, she had never been a beautiful woman, no, that had been Malhari in her diamonds and gold or her husband's actresses, painted and dancing to the words poet's wrote for them. Too old and battle worn now, but her smile was always - or so the Peshwa told her before she knew what life might do - the brightest thing in the room, and she fixes it on him, now. Her head bows the once in acknowledgement, though her eyes stay direct on him in the way that - no, she never looked away from anything, did she? All right there, in her expression that in this small carved out space that is theirs. That warmth given like a second half to his name. ]
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But when he doesn't, she smiles at him - might be for the first time properly given him. Warm, open, she had never been a beautiful woman, no, that had been Malhari in her diamonds and gold or her husband's actresses, painted and dancing to the words poet's wrote for them. Too old and battle worn now, but her smile was always - or so the Peshwa told her before she knew what life might do - the brightest thing in the room, and she fixes it on him, now. Her head bows the once in acknowledgement, though her eyes stay direct on him in the way that - no, she never looked away from anything, did she? All right there, in her expression that in this small carved out space that is theirs. That warmth given like a second half to his name. ]
Very well, just Byerly.