“ incredibly, yes. “ it is not a criticism, nor spoken maliciously. it is soft and monotone as all of hart’s other words.
“ hm. the manifestation of poor socialisation, or something else ? “
jesus christ. he’s going to have to pull through. he’s about to ask what she means—then remembers her whole shtick about repetition.
“is it noticeable?” this, at least, he thinks he can ask—“uh… dunno. m’not very good with people.”
but there is /something/ about her, too.
it would be a waste. hart takes one final drag, and with the hand not grasping his chin, she plucks the cigarette from lips.
“ hold still. “ aaand she is putting it out against his tongue.
oh. that definitely catches him off guard. he was so sure she'd have done it on his arm like he does to himself. nevertheless, he sticks his tongue out as instructed, dark hues locking with hers while his sleeve remains folded.
“ah...”
“uh. m’sorry. i think.” he feels nervous all of a sudden. no more questions about it, then. instead of looking at her, he casts his eyes down, to his own clasped hands.
“ they are an extremely intelligent species, and working dogs. i thought you would find them enjoyable. “
humming quietly, “ i had one, growing up. they are lovely. “
“S’ more of a whole white picket fence fantasy business, y’ know? S’ always a golden.”
Ghost takes a long drag, exhaling slowly.
“Why a border collie though..?”
use him? that doesn’t sound too good. then again, if keeping her feet warm is the only thing he needs to do—he supposes it won’t be that bad. “oookay… sure. but i’ll need to leave in, like, fifteen.”
he may deal with future complaints, but he can save the ‘ i told you so’s ‘ for then.
“ a golden retriever. hm. i always pictured you as a border collie kind of person, really. “
A baleful side-eye at that, but he’s letting it go. Not his circus, not his marshmallow expenses.
“Mm. Yeah. Worked my way into one. Got a mum, dad, little sister. Golden retriever named Bruce.”
“ i make more money than one person could reasonably spend. “
she has no further excuse. “ tell me more about this secret family. finally gone for something more nuclear ? “