A half smile curved her deep red lips, and she watched him move, watched his expression -- mostly his eyes. She listened to him speak, enjoying the sound of his voice, finding herself more engaged than she normally would be by small talk -- finding herself genuinely interested in what he was saying.
"Well, it was good of you to let him stay with you," she said. "I don't think I could do it. I so value my privacy, and my alone time."
Her smile took on a thoughtful cast. "Though it can be nice to have someone around, I suppose. Though it's good that you have more time to pursue the things you want to."
The nature of her smile shifted yet again, though, as she considered the topic of her employment.
"I suppose it is a pity, though." She shrugged, unwilling to confess her uncertainty here, to him, even from behind this mask of white make-up, even here in this shadowed corner. Again, her expression shifted, assuming a bit more enthusiasm.
"So what do you plan to do with all your new, free time, Elias?"