Uncomfortable with the eyes that seemed to follow her actions, she quickly finished her soup. "I think I might go explore the ship," she said to Phos and Francis.
She nodded and left the room, her stride quick. Evan watched her leave, and then returned to his meal, his brow furrowed in thought. "She's a good girl, that one," Phos said. "Terribly stubborn. But a good girl."
"Terribly stubborn is definitely true," said Francis, mostly joking. "And a bit confusing to understand."
"Hard to understand, for me. We grew up in such different ways that it's hard to figure out how she thinks." He shook his head. "I don't really know."
Phos considered this thoughtfully. "I've known Poppy for a couple years now," he said, scraping his bowl. "She had to step up at a very young age, as I'm sure you know. I've found that it's easiest to understand her if you consider that she likes to take care of people. To be honest, I think that she feels that she has to. It's all she knows."
"I suppose. I just have a hard time relating to most people. Not that I have a problem with it, because most people are tacky." He smoothed his shirt. "And this is the longest I've gone without coffee, so there's that variable as well."
Phos waved down a waiter and spoke politely in a low voice. The waiter nodded, and left the table, returning seconds later with a fresh cup of coffee. "I never could get that hang of that stuff," Phos said, eyeing it warily. "Too bitter."
"Oh yeah, I agree," he said, messing with it, "but that's why I add a ton of sugar." He laughed softly.
He looked down. "Hm. Almost six years. I loved her, but the feelings weren't completely mutual, apparently." He stopped himself. "It's a long story."
Phos crossed his arms on the table. "Strapping young lad like you, I would have never expected you to struggle like that," he said lightheartedly.
"I didn't expect it from her," he said simply, looking elsewhere and taking a sip from his coffee. "I'm still surprised."
"Well, I'm sorry you had to go through that son, I really am," Phos said, a sympathetic look on his face. "How long have you been on your own, if you don't mind me asking?"
"About two years, I'd say. I haven't given it much thought, to be completely honest." He crossed his arms protectively. "I'm just glad it's behind me."
