(Untitled)

[lifeisacatch]

The door swings open and an old woman walks in. Well, the white hair suggests great age, as do the fine lines around her eyes and mouth. The armor and the muscular shape beneath it, as well as the upsweep of red-tipped horns (or a very fixed hairstyle) from her temples may, however, suggest otherwise

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[seeswitheyes]

Well. Is that not interesting?

There is something about that woman that reminds Rose of Mom, somehow. It is not Mom, she would have to be a thick as Karkat thinks they all are to believe that, and yet... There is something that reminds her of her mother.

Perhaps it is only the hair-color.

For the moment, Rose is merely watching from behind the cover of a distinctly grimdark tome.

[lifeisacatch]

Interesting is as interesting does, and in the environs of Milliways, almost everything is interesting.

Which is not to say that Flemeth's gaze does not pass over Rose, holding for a moment (blame the grimdark tome) before moving on.

It will be back.

[seeswitheyes]

Rose sees her looking, and ducks back behind her book. Hopefully fast enough; it is a poor seer that gets caught seeing.

[lifeisacatch]

"You may want to move more slowly next time, girl."

The blend of impatience, amusement, and disappointment is similar to what Flemeth's own Morrigan might hear. And has, many a time.

"Furtive and quick only catches the eye."

[seeswitheyes]

To her credit, Rose's lips only flatten a little.

"I shall endeavor to bear that in mind."

[lifeisacatch]

"Forget or remember, or do both over time, it means little to me."

There's an undercurrent of gaiety in Flemeth's voice, and her chuckle comes from deep in her chest.

"But I do enjoy people who are polite."

[seeswitheyes]

"I find that by and large there is very little reason for ill manners."

Besides, rudeness would have been tantamount to admitting defeat in the elaborate game she had with her Mom.

[lifeisacatch]

"There is very little reason for much of anything, ill manners least of all."

Here she frowns, rubbing her chin with gauntleted fingers.

"Except for moldy bread. And people who ask imprudent questions. Hmm."

[seeswitheyes]

"When an imprudent answer is needed, however, an imprudent question must be asked."

Rose has had to ask a lot of imprudent questions lately.

[lifeisacatch]

"So speak most prophets. Cyclically. Though there's something to be said for impudence."

That something is generally sharp and dismissive, but such is the way of the world.

[seeswitheyes]

"Were it not for impudence, the young would never displace the old."

There is nothing point about the way she says it, mere matter-of-fact.

[lifeisacatch]

"Death is worse than impudence for that. Or is that better? I'm never sure."

Or possibly the distinction fails to matter.

[seeswitheyes]

"Speaking from personal experience, impudence is a great deal more satisfying."

[lifeisacatch]

"For who? For you?"

She laughs again, head tilted back.

"So much the better, then."

[seeswitheyes]

"Naturally."

Rose gives the older woman a confident smile.

[lifeisacatch]

"Natural is as natural does. And only time will tell."