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[Thor isn't overly familiar with Mary's time or the terms she uses, but he can use context to gauge a deeper understanding. He knows an Earl is a man in a position of power, he knows that she's from a time long before his recent visits to Earth. He knows that women didn't have much power then, he knows it means something that she managed her family's estates.

He zeroes in on one word in particular, though he approaches it with hesitation.]

A widow? [He asks, simply. If she wants to explain she will, but he won't force it out of her.]

[Mary nods, her expression sad but not sorrowful. She had already mourned Matthew and accepted his death, and she's not upset that Thor has brought it up.]

Yes. My husband died in an automobile accident three years ago, the day after our son was born.

[There is another bit of information to him. Admittedly, thinking of George right now makes her sadder than thinking of Matthew.]

[Thor notes something about her expression. He's seen that kind of sadness, resigned and accepting. He knows she's the sort to keep her composure, regardless, so he cannot be sure it's not fresh in her mind.

He rests a hand on her back, gentle and comforting.]

That is a significant loss to bear. I had no idea. [But he supposes it's not his business to know everything she's been through.]

What of your son? He still lives?

[He can be so soothing for such a big man. Mary never would have guessed that when they first met. He was large and imposing, and the eye patch unnerved her. She quickly found out that he was very friendly and not only a good teacher but a good friend to her. She often wondered what it would be like to be more than friends with him.]

I was devastated. It took me nearly six months to come out of my grief. [And even then she'd been practically dragged out of it, kicking and screaming. She resented that time, time when she should have been bonding with her son, but could hardly bring herself to get out of bed.] Matthew was the only man I felt ever really understood me.

[Mary brightens slightly when talking about George.] Yes. His name is George. He's three. I miss him dearly.

Edited 2018-06-23 02:36 (UTC)

Loss will haunt us for as long as we let it.

[Thor agrees, and he feels his heart ache for her. He hasn’t always been an empathetic person, but he feels her pain now more than he ever could have before. He’s gone from living a sheltered existence to understanding just how much life can take from you, probably more than most.]

It seems cruel to separate him from you. [His expression hardens just thinking about it. Every time he feels he could work with the Gods here, he finds himself questioning their practices.

Regardless, it’s a difficult topic for Mary he’s sure, so he focuses instead on something she says about herself.]

Do you feel you’re a difficult woman to know?

[Her losses, both her husband and the recent, technical, loss of her son, are things that she buries deep and would not want to show on the surface. They might make her seem weak, and here of all places she cannot be weak. She has no choice but to be strong.

Mary nods her appreciation to him for noting any difficulty that she might be going through, but is relieved that he changes the subject. She shrugs slightly in response to his question.]

I can be... private, sometimes. It has been hard for me to let people in. [To see the soft shell under her hardened exterior.] They see me as cold. Also, some men in my time have not been fond of the fact that I tend to speak my mind.

I see.

[Thor says, contemplating her answer. She's honest, and it's refreshing. He won't placate her by saying that being private is fine and that she never needs to open up. Instead, He drops a hand over hers, taking it and squeezing gently.]

I enjoy listening to you, anyone who doesn't has deceived themselves.

[She knows she's probably smiling and blushing like a teenager, but his words are a delight to her.]

Thank you, Thor. Perhaps in your immortality - at least back home - you have a differing view of women than most of the men in my time. There are certainly some men who enjoy hearing a woman's opinion, but there are some who would rather they be seen only.

[Mary had never been like that, ever since she was a little girl. Her father had encouraged her to speak out, albeit politely. She could (and would) debate with any man.]

The men in your time squandered their opportunities, then. Now you're here and we can see you and we can certainly hear you.

[Thor rises from his seat, although he doesn't feel he's overstayed his welcome, he has prior commitments.

Though he's tempted to forget them.]

Perhaps it was fate's design to put you in this position, Lady Mary.

You're very kind. [She smiles as she stands with him in order to see him out. This place, despite being further in the past, does seem different. Everyone here is from such different times and places, with different views on how men and women should act.] I hope that I might be able to make some sort of impact on the war effort here. Of course, training with you has helped immensely.

[Mary opens the door and stands by it as he moves to leave.] Thank you for visiting. I'm quite sure we'll see each other again soon. [Rising up on her toes, she gives his cheek a gentle kiss.]

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