She's got the devil's eyes
She is used to causing discomfort, her intense stare and unwavering focus a cause for many to squirm beneath her regard. She knows better of Scorch, knows she would never falter beneath her discerning gaze. Were she another woman, she might have taken pity on the clearly agitated woman. Would have gentled her still features and baldly spoken words. But she is not. They are too much alike in that.
Besides, she finds nothing pitiable about the matriarch of her family. She may have made mistakes, but so have they all. And she may even now feel the weight of them heavy on her shoulders, but eventually it would pass. Inevitably, it would always pass.
Her thoughts are easily hidden beneath the tranquility of her dark features, the sharpness of her blue eyes unreadable. The simple answer her grandmother offers inspires no change in her beyond a subtle shift of her hips as she settles herself more comfortably beside the gray woman. Even the fire that begins to crackle along her skin draws no more than a cursory glance of mild curiosity.
To Scorch, she might seem a woman unfazed by the revelations she spits forth, but her thoughts are far from quiet behind the cool assessment of her bright eyes. Truthfully, it does not surprise her that Scorch feels this way. She might find it objectionable, but far from surprising. Still, she would never stand in her grandmother’s way over such a decision. Heartfire is a patient woman, and if Scorch needs time, she sees no reason not to give it to her.
Still, only a fool would believe she might remain silent in the face of such a sizeable pronouncement.
“I think,” she begins slowly, thoughtfully. Deliberately, “there is only nothing if you believe there is nothing.” There would always be a place for her in Nerine. But purpose can only ever be found where one looks for purpose. And if Scorch had decided she was done seeking purpose in the kingdom, then indeed there was nothing. Heartfire could not force her to believe. “But I do understand your decision.”
She might have finished with a trite “I wish you would stay”, though she does not. It goes without saying. Her grandmother would always be welcome, should she decide to return. Still, she’s not quite finished. Scorch might believe herself obsolete here, but Heartfire knows better. “Before you go, perhaps you might do one final thing.”
and they'll cut you like a weapon