[It wasn't a place for everyone out there. He knew that now as he knew it for years, no matter where he was. He knew from experience, too, that some could take care of themselves just fine in the harsh environment, even take care of others on top of it. Knew as well as anyone that people could and would do that without begrudging those needing care.
None of that ever really made him feel less guilty, more useful, less worried. Even when Zach came home, he often felt guilty for worrying. That was just how Qing was, being small and soft and pretty.
Hell, it had been a strange thing, even meeting up. A moment in the Market that could have gone much worse if not for the Technomancer's intervention, but here they were. He didn't leave home as much anymore, not after a handful of scuffles that had left him a bit roughed up in Zach's absence - though once in a while, like today, he'd gone to get something small. Herbs, mostly, such as they were.
He was figuring on dinner when Zach ducked in, rubbing his arm as was his wont when he was lost in thought, and he looked over at the sound of his voice.]
Ah, welcome home. How was it? [His smile started slow - different, they both knew, from the easy-blooming customer service smiles he defaulted to when they'd first met. It was hard to get out of the habit when you worked in food service. Shifting his weight, he started over toward the door to see if he'd need any help.]
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None of that ever really made him feel less guilty, more useful, less worried. Even when Zach came home, he often felt guilty for worrying. That was just how Qing was, being small and soft and pretty.
Hell, it had been a strange thing, even meeting up. A moment in the Market that could have gone much worse if not for the Technomancer's intervention, but here they were. He didn't leave home as much anymore, not after a handful of scuffles that had left him a bit roughed up in Zach's absence - though once in a while, like today, he'd gone to get something small. Herbs, mostly, such as they were.
He was figuring on dinner when Zach ducked in, rubbing his arm as was his wont when he was lost in thought, and he looked over at the sound of his voice.]
Ah, welcome home. How was it? [His smile started slow - different, they both knew, from the easy-blooming customer service smiles he defaulted to when they'd first met. It was hard to get out of the habit when you worked in food service. Shifting his weight, he started over toward the door to see if he'd need any help.]