[ Hermann reaches the top of the stairs, on a trajectory toward the kitchen, just as Newton pulls back. He slows, not that he'd been advancing at anything approximating an accelerated pace, neutral expression shifting wary at the sight.
It isn't the fact of the finished embrace or that of the lingering touch, the slung arm. It is those and their expressions (however it is he's gradually acclimated, eyes adjusting, to be better able to discern those shifts on an oddly emotive skull), and the heaviness of the atmosphere.
The air is thick with it. It contaminates the oxygen, suffocates. At a time like this, there are a number of possible conclusions, but one the most probable, the most logical. His hand tightens on the head of his cane and Hermann hesitates.
Then steps forward. No stupid, pointless questions with obvious answers, like are you all right? ]
You look like you should.
[ Do as Newton says, which is as close as he prefers to get to agreeing with Newton.
no subject
It isn't the fact of the finished embrace or that of the lingering touch, the slung arm. It is those and their expressions (however it is he's gradually acclimated, eyes adjusting, to be better able to discern those shifts on an oddly emotive skull), and the heaviness of the atmosphere.
The air is thick with it. It contaminates the oxygen, suffocates. At a time like this, there are a number of possible conclusions, but one the most probable, the most logical. His hand tightens on the head of his cane and Hermann hesitates.
Then steps forward. No stupid, pointless questions with obvious answers, like are you all right? ]
You look like you should.
[ Do as Newton says, which is as close as he prefers to get to agreeing with Newton.
But -- ]
Who was it?