[Nelly's palpable misery is not lost on Veidt, and he makes a renewed effort to control himself. He's shaking his head even before Nelly has finished speaking.]
You have nothing to apologize for, Nelly. Nothing. [He exhales.] If anyone should be apologizing [besides that brute, Muller, he thinks, but hell will freeze over before that happens] it's me. I've been meaning to talk to you for quite a while now, about...certain things, but the time never seemed right, and...well.
[Veidt regards Nelly with something akin to sympathy.] Adrian and I talk, you see [the whole school knows that] and he's been worried about you. Specifically, your...safety...with Rolf, and in general. [He blinks, calmly, but he's choosing his words carefully.] And since I have at least a passing familiarity with some of the...forces at work here, I thought I might be able to help. Advice-wise, that is. [Very emphatically.]
[Veidt is well aware that this probably rates at least a twelve on Nelly's personal meter of Most Awkward Conversations Ever (to be honest, it's not that much better for him) and decides some breathing room is called for. He raises an inquisitive eyebrow.] Would you like some tea? I find it very calming.
[He half-turns away and commences the arcane dance of tea paraphernalia (starting by plugging in the electric kettle on top of his cabinet) but it's obvious that the conversational ball is in Nelly's court.]
no subject
You have nothing to apologize for, Nelly. Nothing. [He exhales.] If anyone should be apologizing [besides that brute, Muller, he thinks, but hell will freeze over before that happens] it's me. I've been meaning to talk to you for quite a while now, about...certain things, but the time never seemed right, and...well.
[Veidt regards Nelly with something akin to sympathy.] Adrian and I talk, you see [the whole school knows that] and he's been worried about you. Specifically, your...safety...with Rolf, and in general. [He blinks, calmly, but he's choosing his words carefully.] And since I have at least a passing familiarity with some of the...forces at work here, I thought I might be able to help. Advice-wise, that is. [Very emphatically.]
[Veidt is well aware that this probably rates at least a twelve on Nelly's personal meter of Most Awkward Conversations Ever (to be honest, it's not that much better for him) and decides some breathing room is called for. He raises an inquisitive eyebrow.] Would you like some tea? I find it very calming.
[He half-turns away and commences the arcane dance of tea paraphernalia (starting by plugging in the electric kettle on top of his cabinet) but it's obvious that the conversational ball is in Nelly's court.]