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[ her smile warms even more at that, taking small comfort at his words, even as she knows she shouldn't. his companionship is far too great for her, and she too fond of his company, but she can't help it. somehow he has endeared himself to her and that will not change easily. ]
[ he's changed her, rebekah has changed her. she may find it slightly easier to trust -- though only slightly, given how hesitant she is to talk about certain topics even now with jean-luc -- and because of that, she's realizing that in her short time here, she's adjusting to not having the pressures of running the sanctuary network here. maybe she can get used to it, relax a little more until she finds a way to return.
part of her files that away for later thought and part of her pushes it well away so she wouldn't ponder it later.
in the middle of her thoughts, she switches back to english, mostly for her own comfort, but also because she wants to offer something in her native language, so he can be sure she means it. ]
It does occur to me, however... if you and I are to enjoy each other's company again, and I would be remiss if I didn't admit I would like that... [ possibly too much, if that slight coloring of her cheekbones is any indication ] Perhaps, in time, we could use slightly less formal terms. If you'd like, you may call me Helen. Or if that's too informal, my staff tends to call me by my surname, Magnus.
[ it's rare that she even has to ask. there are so few people who actually do call her by her given name back home that it's a little strange now to offer it. most people use the full title or simply her surname, but she suspects that jean-luc deserves to at least know that he is on an equal plain with her. she doesn't see herself as residing over him on the chain of command. that's one of the realizations that's been giving her so much trouble lately, but that is, again, another thought for another day. ]