Federico studies her. The minute puff of her wings. The downturn of her lips, so fleeting it barely registers before that polished smile returns. The rhythm of her words, the careful cadence. Her agreement is noted—expected, even—but the condition she tacks on gives him pause. Show her around...
"I hope you understand that I am not familiar with the current deck we've found ourselves on," he adds, brow furrowing slightly as if still a bit disturbed by their circumstances. "But I have patrolled the residential decks over the past month of being here. When we find our way back, I..."
His mind sifts through the practicalities. The risks. The unnecessary complications. She is not his responsibility, despite her connection to Sunday. And yet, the logic is sound—ensuring she does not become a liability benefits them both. A measured concession.
Still, he hesitates.
Not out of suspicion, but from the subtle flicker of something else. A tremor in her otherwise seamless demeanor. A breath, barely disrupted. A thought, swiftly buried. A hint of- darkness? But when he goes to look at the mirror, it is gone. Just Robin in a darker dress...
As for the Robin in front of him, her mask does not break, but without the natural ability to read what that most take for granted, he has spent his life studying human nature, tracing the minute shifts in voice and body language, cataloguing their possible meanings and messages. He can see she is accustomed to deception. But that moment—half a second of hesitation—was genuine.
He does not comment on it.
Instead, his gaze drops to their extended hands. "Were we in Laterano, there would be a physical paper contract to be signed and kept. However, supplies are very limited. Solidifying this agreement with a physical gesture is already a...compromise, on my part." Nothing to hide...most likely a lie. She appears to have every reason to hide certain information...
His wings twitch at the name.
"A last addition on my side, then." He looks up, keeping his hand away. "Since our interactions will be professional going forward, you will call me Executor from here on." It is not a request. It...feels like an appropriate boundary set, for the trust she'd broken.
"As for your addition...Understood. Once this is over, I will provide guidance."
He does not trust this!!!!!!
"I hope you understand that I am not familiar with the current deck we've found ourselves on," he adds, brow furrowing slightly as if still a bit disturbed by their circumstances. "But I have patrolled the residential decks over the past month of being here. When we find our way back, I..."
His mind sifts through the practicalities. The risks. The unnecessary complications. She is not his responsibility, despite her connection to Sunday. And yet, the logic is sound—ensuring she does not become a liability benefits them both. A measured concession.
Still, he hesitates.
Not out of suspicion, but from the subtle flicker of something else. A tremor in her otherwise seamless demeanor. A breath, barely disrupted. A thought, swiftly buried. A hint of- darkness? But when he goes to look at the mirror, it is gone. Just Robin in a darker dress...
As for the Robin in front of him, her mask does not break, but without the natural ability to read what that most take for granted, he has spent his life studying human nature, tracing the minute shifts in voice and body language, cataloguing their possible meanings and messages. He can see she is accustomed to deception. But that moment—half a second of hesitation—was genuine.
He does not comment on it.
Instead, his gaze drops to their extended hands. "Were we in Laterano, there would be a physical paper contract to be signed and kept. However, supplies are very limited. Solidifying this agreement with a physical gesture is already a...compromise, on my part." Nothing to hide...most likely a lie. She appears to have every reason to hide certain information...
His wings twitch at the name.
"A last addition on my side, then." He looks up, keeping his hand away. "Since our interactions will be professional going forward, you will call me Executor from here on." It is not a request. It...feels like an appropriate boundary set, for the trust she'd broken.
"As for your addition...Understood. Once this is over, I will provide guidance."