He can't help eagerly lapping up these little hints, these crumbs, the hints of underlying substance and personality. The sudden, unexpected curve of a smile that briefly passes over Alecto's face has the effect of a rainstorm on a desert landscape, and Joshua's heart can't help but skip a beat, almost not hearing his actual words at all
All too soon, the smile fades away entirely, and the expression that Joshua had suspected was both mask and habit returns. He's sure he's said something wrong. But in the end, he's mostly distracted, trying to think through the task that had been set before him, that - against all odds or logic - was not being taken away from him after all, despite being utterly unqualified.
"It's really not flattery. Simply put, I don't have any confidence in my ability to do you justice right now," he admits, apologetic but straightforward. "If...if it's alright with you, perhaps we could start with a few more detailed studies first? Pencil and charcoal and ink. I'm...not sure how long you're used to these things taking, but I'll have a better idea of what I can take on once I've gotten more familiarity and time to plan."
no subject
All too soon, the smile fades away entirely, and the expression that Joshua had suspected was both mask and habit returns. He's sure he's said something wrong. But in the end, he's mostly distracted, trying to think through the task that had been set before him, that - against all odds or logic - was not being taken away from him after all, despite being utterly unqualified.
"It's really not flattery. Simply put, I don't have any confidence in my ability to do you justice right now," he admits, apologetic but straightforward. "If...if it's alright with you, perhaps we could start with a few more detailed studies first? Pencil and charcoal and ink. I'm...not sure how long you're used to these things taking, but I'll have a better idea of what I can take on once I've gotten more familiarity and time to plan."