Halcyon
The traveled together companionably for a moment, each of them seemingly content to get to know one another. Halcyon was starting to get the feeling that Voyager was perhaps not as interested in her as she had first assumed and was doing her best to not internalize that thought. It was silly of her to think that anyone would want her, sad and old and broken as she was, and she knew it. Voyager's interest in the commons had given her some sort of hope, however, and now that it seemed to waning. Probably because she had no idea what she was doing in this department. Halcyon swallowed hard and paced at his side, sneaking sideways glances at him as they walked.
He spoke of his family stopping him from travelling, and then he spoke of Cromer and she was more than a little surprised to hear the distant way he described them. He was no lovesick stallion with an adoring wife, but a pragmatist that saw his duty and leaned into it, seemingly without emotion. Hal said nothing, but worried her inner cheek between her teeth in thought, deciding what to make of that information.
On one hand, it soothed her fears that she would need to move on, and on the other, it made her even more sad at the prospect of this flopping. Of the Forest becoming just another place she existed, rather than a home. "I see," she finally mumured, not looking at him. Quiet reigned for a moment and then he inquired if he was allowed to ask questions and she laughed faintly, the sound strained. Her gaze flicked to his and then away again as she nodded. "Of course you can."