:: action
[ he was observant. either that or he simply had an understanding for the trials of age. whatever the reason, she appreciated it. almost imperceptibly, her emotional walls were sliding back up. she'd been vulnerable for a while, left herself open for this, but as she gazes about the area, her mind wanders to the negatives, back to the people she's lost over the centuries she's been alive, and it's difficult to imagine being truly okay again. if she'd had a mug of tea, this would be the point where she would hide behind it.
the fact that she's now refusing to look at her companion is far more telling than her words. ]
Indeed. I've seen many good things come of my long lifespan, but I have also seen great hardship. At times it is... difficult -- [ that's putting it mildly. ] -- to accept, but I suppose that can be said of anyone, not only someone as old as I am.
[ at that, she does finally glance at him, her arms lifting to wrap protectively around herself, a subconscious movement she was barely even aware of making. her expression is softer than it was previously, but she's holding back, keeping herself wrapped up tighter than she'd been previously. some pieces of her past were still too painful to speak of. ]