Stephen is at times an open book, and at times he's impossible to scrutinize. There are a few quiet, long moments, contemplative, observant, where Mobius tips his head, narrows his eyes just a hair, and really looks at Stephen.
He used to be better at this, he thinks. Or maybe that's just time and perception playing tricks on him. This is still casual enough to be between them as friends, the professional air out of the whole thing, but Stephen's always going to be a doctor at heart. He didn't give an answer the arcane neurosurgeon liked, no, but really, any answer that isn't 'yes i'm planning on giving up a lifetime dedicated to something i've felt uniquely qualified for (and i'm not scared of what i'll become after)' is going to be frowned upon. Anything that doesn't get him closer to fixing a problem. Stephen's not afraid to be blunt with anyone, and certainly not with friends, but he's also shrewd and knows to look at angles, look for them, create them himself. So he's fishing for something, or finding another way to ask. Being delicate just for friendliness sake or even just inadvertently.
Okay. He'll play the game. Takes a breath, straightens out, wonders for a moment to joke at asking someone their age being rude. Doesn't. A doctor should know these things. "In my fifties," he starts with. Lifts a shoulder and amends: "Fifty-four entire years and some change. I've been taking lyrium regularly for..." Mobius leans back, blows out some air. "Longer than some of the kids running around Riftwatch have been alive for, that's for sure."
no subject
He used to be better at this, he thinks. Or maybe that's just time and perception playing tricks on him. This is still casual enough to be between them as friends, the professional air out of the whole thing, but Stephen's always going to be a doctor at heart. He didn't give an answer the arcane neurosurgeon liked, no, but really, any answer that isn't 'yes i'm planning on giving up a lifetime dedicated to something i've felt uniquely qualified for (and i'm not scared of what i'll become after)' is going to be frowned upon. Anything that doesn't get him closer to fixing a problem. Stephen's not afraid to be blunt with anyone, and certainly not with friends, but he's also shrewd and knows to look at angles, look for them, create them himself. So he's fishing for something, or finding another way to ask. Being delicate just for friendliness sake or even just inadvertently.
Okay. He'll play the game. Takes a breath, straightens out, wonders for a moment to joke at asking someone their age being rude. Doesn't. A doctor should know these things. "In my fifties," he starts with. Lifts a shoulder and amends: "Fifty-four entire years and some change. I've been taking lyrium regularly for..." Mobius leans back, blows out some air. "Longer than some of the kids running around Riftwatch have been alive for, that's for sure."