Root isn't about to try to convince her to trust her, to relax or calm down or feel safe. There's an absurdity to the idea that is distasteful to her. Back home she'd been faking who she was most of the time, taking on and discarding identities like clothing; here, the ratio is flipped. She only pretends once in a while, like when they were both held captive and Root was trying to be convincing as a hapless, defenseless woman so they'd let their guard down.
Most of the time, she just isn't around another human being long enough for it to matter what they think of her. And if Ellie does lash out, so what? Root can handle a little -- or a lot of -- pain. There's a stapes missing from her right ear that can attest to that.
Conscientious that they might be together for some time out of necessity if nothing else, Root answers honestly.
She pauses before trying to tend to her, hands raised and lingering midair as she meets her gaze steadily. "I used to know someone," she says, calm but with grief lining her eyes. "She thought I was the kind of person who saved people. I guess I'm not ready to let go of that yet."
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Most of the time, she just isn't around another human being long enough for it to matter what they think of her. And if Ellie does lash out, so what? Root can handle a little -- or a lot of -- pain. There's a stapes missing from her right ear that can attest to that.
Conscientious that they might be together for some time out of necessity if nothing else, Root answers honestly.
She pauses before trying to tend to her, hands raised and lingering midair as she meets her gaze steadily. "I used to know someone," she says, calm but with grief lining her eyes. "She thought I was the kind of person who saved people. I guess I'm not ready to let go of that yet."
A beat of silence.
"Where do you want me to start?"