“If I were to make everything easy for you, that would defeat the purpose of you discovering yourself.”
“huh?” Eira blinked. “Um, okay. Hold on here, before you start getting all philosophical and everything-make sure I’m following you.”
“You aren’t?”
“I what?!” Eira opted for the next way out, a sip of the scalding tea. It burned its way down her throat, but wasn’t all that bad.
“Perhaps we should retry this.” He suggested. “Is there any way I may be of assistance?”
“You are the Dark Phoenix, right?” Eira set the cup on the table.
He blinked. “Is there something in particular I need to do to convince you?”
Eira closed her eyes. “No. Just no.” The whole conversation had taken a turn she hadn’t anticipated. “Look, I uh, I appreciate you-“
“You wanted me to train you.” He said simply.
The sentence cut through the near retreat Eira had decided on. “Well, I, uh.” She stammered for a moment, then retrieved the steaming cup. “Yes. I was.”
“Then why are you so eager to leave?”
“I wasn’t leaving.”
“You were.” He took a sip. “You were. If I didn’t say anything, you would have. Past and present tense must not muddle one’s future.” He rose from his chair. “Stay for the night, the choice is up to you what you wish to do by tomorrow. Whatever you decide, I shall respect. Please take the room to the left near the refresher. You’ll excuse me, I’m sure, if I decide to retire this evening. Thank you.”
Eira stared after him as he moved from the room to the sink where he washed the cup and set it in the tray to dry.
He punched in something on a key pad and returned briefly to inform her that he’d activated the nightly security system. “Good night.”
“er, good night.” Eira managed, moving to her feet to go to the sink.