He knew the mention of his work in Fen Kierdan and Mimsbury would draw Elisora's interest, and it was all he could do to keep from smiling. He still knew how to work her, even after these few years. Things really didn't change much, but Daalton was glad for that. He shrugged and sheepishly grinned, suddenly playing vulnerable, though she knew he was never vulnerable.
"I did, in fact, find something. If you are interested in hearing about it, I would be happy to take you out to coffee," he said, smiling. He seemed so innocent... Too innocent, maybe. But he couldn't resist the analog to their meeting, and he really did want to share his findings with Elisora. Something about her presence made him feel affirmed. She was a walking approval.
When they caught eyes again, though, Elisora noticed something she never had before: Hurt. He looked at her, at a loss for words for perhaps the first time, before he cleared his throat and put a few more inches of space between them. Sure, he wasn't always the most pleasant, but what academic was? But for her to accuse him of having only shallow feelings...
Was she right?
He considered it, but couldn't fathom. Affection was tricky, especially for Daalton, and for him to show any at all was an improvement over what he knew. Had he made mistakes? Yes. Were they reconcilable? Only Elise could answer that. But the hurt scribbled across his face was unlike anything she'd ever seen, and though he wasn't vulnerable, he was obviously put off.
"Why would you say something like that? I may not have always been palatable, but I was always looking out for you," he said, a lie but one he believed. "I understand that I am not the easiest person to get along with, but the time I spent with you is counted among some of my favourite moments of my life," he shared, candidly.
He turned away from her, looking away and back at the board behind him. There was an illustration of how Living magic could affect blood cells, and he walked over and tapped it.
"Do you remember the day we met? Professor Hulle asked you about Ararad Stegnd, and you replied with absolute confidence as to his theories? This is a diagram in one of his texts, still used today, to show how Living magic can affect one's biological functions. This one shows the effect of a racing heart after calmed by LIving conversation," he pointed out, tapping around the diagram. It showed enlarged blood vessels.
"The first time I saw you, I had to actually perform this spell on myself to get my heart to stop racing. That was not a feigned feeling, nor were any of the others. I cared about you," he said, and it was as if he'd just realized it himself. "Perhaps it was you who did not love me? You seem quick to heft accusations..."
He paused and let his blue eyes find her, locking gazes. The intensity in his look was zealous.
