His arrival only interrupts her for a moment. She pauses to look back at the Councilman with a welcome smile, “Making the late night rounds, Silph?” but far more intriguing than his arrival are the papers he holds in his hands. Her gaze flicks to them momentarily before it returns to the task at hand.

She inspects the writing on a vial closely before placing it with the others of its kind. She doesn’t spare the flowers another look, “Now, they’re from Fiorelli Floristry,” if she had time to stay up to date in the news, perhaps she'd know Elisabeth’s shop had shut down. She remains blissfully unaware.

“Aren't you a little young for reading glasses?”

---

FERNANDO SILPH

Considering the depth of Eva’s sense of humor, she does find his joke amusing despite the unimpressive delivery. What is impressive is that Fernando Silph has a sense of humor. Although unconventional, she finds it mildly charming. Without breaking focus, she smiles, laughing lightly to herself as he takes his leave.

By the time he comes back, the smile has faded and has been replaced with quiet contemplation. It comes in the form of a signature Eva look when someone has caught her cataloging information into the deep vaults of her mind: tight lips twisted up and her nose wrinkled above them. It falters when he returns and a hint of disappointment accompanies it when he’s empty handed.

“Depends on the day, I suppose,”’ she rises to round her desk, leaning back against the polished wood, “Today I came in quite late,” she smiles as if she’s expecting that to soothe his disappointment in her working habits.

---

FERNANDO SILPH

His dissection would prove unrewarding, for he’s already been privy to the turmoil that haunts her. She was honest with him, and would continue to be until he gave her a reason to draw back into her solitude, “No,” she absentmindedly traced the sharp edge of her desk, “I just like to be productive when I’m awake,” anything else would be a waste of time, a commodity she valued.

---

FERNANDO SILPH

She’s painfully aware of how frail the body can be. It’s a sobering realization that has her craving MATIAS SILPH’ unyielding stamina at times, though that likely comes with its own set backs, “I’ll rest when I can,” she assures him while being careful to make no promises. In truth, she would love to rest but her mind won’t let her.

Out of habit, or perhaps hope, Eva always makes a full pot of coffee as if she’s expecting company. It’s become rare to share it with someone. Eva welcomes his indulgence with a smile, granting Fernando permission to partake in the ritual alongside her with a gentle motion towards the mugs neatly set to the pot’s side, “Please do.”

---

FERNANDO SILPH

It’s difficult to determine the boundaries when they are blurred and their borders wax and wane as easily as the tides of her emotions. Time and distractions have callously healed some wounds but uncertainty still demands flexibility. The uncertainty and fear still settles like a heavy fog, he’d need to tread carefully to not find himself lost in it. The borders of her trust could snap under the gentlest pressure - in his benefit or to his detriment.

“Yes,” she confirms, sipping the coffee while her gaze moves from him towards the samples. She is no stranger to an invasive Silph; They all are in some way, “I will eventually, but first I need to process these,” they’re fresh, and must be preserved and treated delicately. They were not easy to come by. Dragon taming was freya morningstar’s wheelhouse, not Eva’s. She notes his desire to leave so quickly and stalls with another question, “Busy night?” she inquires, glancing at the coffee in his hand.

---

FERNANDO SILPH

Fernando continues to surprise her, even in the most subtle of ways, “Hm, I didn’t peg you for someone who likes cream in their coffee,” he gives off a ‘no nonsense’ kind of vibe and he certainly isn’t the kind of man to make things sweeter, “What kind is it? The creamer you like,” It’s the last question she’d ask before releasing him back into the wilds of late night headquarters. She finds herself genuinely curious.

They both have things to do. To linger too long on mindless conversation is something she missed but urgency doesn’t provide such a luxury. So even as he answers or leaves she’s shuffling the samples into their respective bags to take out of her office for processing.

---

FERNANDO SILPH