Arthur jots down a reminder to dust off the uniform the first chance he gets in the mental notebook he keeps, and smirks, the glazed look in Bela's eyes not escaping his notice. But he doesn't want to embarrass her, if it's at all possible, and composes himself to seem serious and understanding, nodding. "If I can help you in this newly gained interest, I'm more than willing to do anything at all to help." And, he thinks with a grin, he really does mean anything.
"Being independent isn't a bad thing. You don't have to rely on anyone, for a start, and it's a good way to avoid disappointment." But the smile he offers her is somewhat sad. Arthur admits that he doesn't know a lot about Bela at this early stage, and that's okay, because it's the journey that makes a relationship: the adventures along the way, the excitement of discovering and exploring, of creating - ironically, he notes, not that different to stepping into the world of dreams. But he does know that she never mentions family, that she rarely mentions friends or associates, and as much as he admires how strong and independent she clearly is, he can't help feeling a little sad. He doesn't pity her, it's obviously a lifestyle that suits her, that she chooses to live, but he can't help wondering if she's missing out, if it’s not something she once didn’t have a choice over and now sticks with it because it’s all she knows. And, though working with others isn't really an option with what Arthur does, he does enjoy being alone, working away from the team when there's research to do, and isn't the most sociable of people, but he can't imagine life without familiar faces. "But sometimes you shouldn't just have to manage. Sometimes it's good to experience things with others, to take risks. You shouldn't always have to do everything alone." You can rely on me, he thinks, but he doesn't add it, even though it's implied in the gentle look as gazes at her.
"I think you're right, and I am the glue that keeps them together, after all. They'd be lost without me." He laughs, staring off into the distance. Sharing this world with Bela is one thing, but what if it could be something more than that? He thinks for a while, and then adds, "I could explain it to you, if you wanted, and you could try your luck. When you're more comfortable in the dreamstate, obviously, and only if it's something you'd be interested in exploring."
Their hour is almost up, and there's been a lot of information for Bela to take in and consider. He presses a tender kiss to her forehead and slides an arm around her back, continuing their walk around the park in a comfortable silence, or, if not quite that, then a thoughtfully distracted silence.
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"Being independent isn't a bad thing. You don't have to rely on anyone, for a start, and it's a good way to avoid disappointment." But the smile he offers her is somewhat sad. Arthur admits that he doesn't know a lot about Bela at this early stage, and that's okay, because it's the journey that makes a relationship: the adventures along the way, the excitement of discovering and exploring, of creating - ironically, he notes, not that different to stepping into the world of dreams. But he does know that she never mentions family, that she rarely mentions friends or associates, and as much as he admires how strong and independent she clearly is, he can't help feeling a little sad. He doesn't pity her, it's obviously a lifestyle that suits her, that she chooses to live, but he can't help wondering if she's missing out, if it’s not something she once didn’t have a choice over and now sticks with it because it’s all she knows. And, though working with others isn't really an option with what Arthur does, he does enjoy being alone, working away from the team when there's research to do, and isn't the most sociable of people, but he can't imagine life without familiar faces. "But sometimes you shouldn't just have to manage. Sometimes it's good to experience things with others, to take risks. You shouldn't always have to do everything alone." You can rely on me, he thinks, but he doesn't add it, even though it's implied in the gentle look as gazes at her.
"I think you're right, and I am the glue that keeps them together, after all. They'd be lost without me." He laughs, staring off into the distance. Sharing this world with Bela is one thing, but what if it could be something more than that? He thinks for a while, and then adds, "I could explain it to you, if you wanted, and you could try your luck. When you're more comfortable in the dreamstate, obviously, and only if it's something you'd be interested in exploring."
Their hour is almost up, and there's been a lot of information for Bela to take in and consider. He presses a tender kiss to her forehead and slides an arm around her back, continuing their walk around the park in a comfortable silence, or, if not quite that, then a thoughtfully distracted silence.