Serious Topics with have_no_mercy.

[kneel_majorzod]

When Tess told him that she would appreciate his opinion on something, Zod's curiosity was naturally aroused. What this thing might be, exactly, he really has no idea, but he's going to exercise a bit of patience and make his appearance later in the day. It's not as if he doesn't have other, more important things to think about, no matter how

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[have_no_mercy]

Tess almost manages a half-smile. Almost.

"You are about the only parent I know."

[kneel_majorzod]

Zod raises his eyebrows slightly at that. "Am I? No one has been able to tell you at all what to expect, then?"

[have_no_mercy]

"It's not generally a topic of any conversation I have other than with my doctor, and he thinks it would do me good to join a mothers-to-be 'sharing group' or something else equally unfortunately named." Zod can probably figure out what Tess thinks of that idea.

[kneel_majorzod]

The corners of Zod's mouth twitch slightly, mostly due to the image of Tess in a "sharing group." Right.

"I doubt your fellow mothers-to-be will have much wisdom to share, besides their own worries and concerns. And I'm guessing you don't need anymore of those as it is."

[have_no_mercy]

"I could do without adding on any more stresses, which sitting around with a bunch of over exhuberent 20-somethings blabbering on about what names are the most popular would definitely be."

Tess shrugs. "Books have never failed me before."

[kneel_majorzod]

He gives her a slight nod, followed by a brief silence.

"I'm assuming no one has told you that it gets better," Zod muses finally, his voice soft. "But it does. And although I haven't told you this, I think you're making a very courageous and wise choice by seeing this through."

[have_no_mercy]

"Well, if it gets worse, I'm going to file a complaint somehwere with someone." When in doubt, fall back onto sarcasm

Tess goes quiet at his final words, though, eyes dropping to her lap. "Thank you." It's barely audible. "That...means a lot."

[kneel_majorzod]

"You're welcome," he replies just as quietly, drifting his gaze downward again to study the edge of Tess' desk. "I'm glad you decided to talk to me."

[have_no_mercy]

"Yes, I'm sure you were thrilled to not only think about unpleasant memories, but talk about them as well," Tess says. "And you needn't worry. I won't be making this a habit."

[kneel_majorzod]

"They aren't unpleasant memories, Tess." Zod glances up at her, his brow furrowing slightly. "And I rarely cease to think about them."

[have_no_mercy]

Colour Tess confused as well. "How can they not be?"

[kneel_majorzod]

"How can they be?" Zod asks quietly. "Memories of my son will never be unpleasant."

[have_no_mercy]

"But he's gone," she replies, just as softly. Yes, Tess understands having good memories of someone, but in her mind the loss would outweigh them. Wouldn't it?

[kneel_majorzod]

"Exactly. Which means my memories are all I have left of him." His voice remains perfectly even, albeit rather quiet, despite the emotional nature of the topic.

[have_no_mercy]

"I just thought it would be more difficult for you to talk about." Tess sighs. "But then I've never been through something like that, so I don't really know."

[kneel_majorzod]

"I hope you never have to," he answers sincerely, pausing for a moment to search her eyes.

Then, "So, I know it's still rather early, but have you given any thought to what you're going to name it? Merely out of curiosity." And also to shift the conversation away from him again.