Sweet Child of Mine (continued) - Castle in the Sky

She motioned to the chair across from her, this one large enough for a grown man. It was obviously the visitor's chair.

Robert took the seat happily. "Again, I must apologize, I did not intend to interfere." He smiled apologetically.

"It's alright, you have a kind heart under your layers." She nodded, "We're very much the same."

He quirked an eyebrow at her statement, "Layers?"

His thoughts raced, but better to know how much she does than to make assumptions in this case.

She nodded slowly, "They are subtle, but they are there. A confident, charming man; a respectful, shy boy; a pleasant, intelligent conversationalist.." She smiled in her practiced sort of way. "Underneath, a kind heart guarded by a quiet anger. A defense mechanism, perhaps?"

Robert smiles shyly, a look of quiet acceptance, "We all have our walls and vulnerabilities."

He chuckles lightly, "You are very wise indeed, I had not anticipated meeting someone such as yourself."

"Oh? What is it you were expecting?"

"Bigotry." He stated honestly. His eyes watching her face closely.

Her expression didn't change, the ever present plastic smile across perfect lips.

"I enjoy your honesty, it's very rare among our kind."

He nodded, a smile on his face, "Thank you, I don't think many of our kind appreciate honesty."

She gave a purposeful nod, responding bluntly. "They would rather you tell them complimentary lies, beat around the bush if you will, so they may preen their feathers whilst you plot their downfall."

"Indeed." He rested back a little in his chair having diverted the conversation away from himself and his opinions.

"If I may ask, what brings you out this way?"

"I have to move each year because of my unchanging appearance.. and the girls wanted to go to Disney World. So.. here we are."

He smiles pleasantly, "Here you are. Well I'm glad to see there is someone who's willing to listen to honesty."

"Anyone who isn't is either young or stupid." She responded casually.

He shrugs, "I suppose so." He smiles plaintively.

"I know so." The comment was not a quip or a boast, more so stated as a fact.

He nods, accepting her statement for the fact it was.

At that point, she just sat. The still, patient pose of a Vampire old enough to forget about the little things. Small talk, fidgeting, blinking..

Robert sat watching impasively, his smile never wavering, waiting with patience for her to ask him another question.

Several moments passed, perhaps even an hour, before she spoke. "Mr. Benson, what is it I can do to help you?"

"Plenty I'm sure, but at this moment nothing more than the company you have graciously offered me.". He bowed his head respectfully, "If I have overstayed my welcome though, simply say so, and I will vacate immediately with my humblest apologies."

"You have not. I fear I am not the most interesting host if you are not a child."

"I am enjoying the silence, it is a nice change of pace. And you are hardly an uninteresting host. If I may ask, why were you chosen at such a young age?". He was simply curious.

She gave that doll-like smile of hers, the kind that was sweet and beautiful but horribly creepy all at once. "It was a punishment to my mortal father."