Dolores added some sugar into her tea before stirring it with that little spoon of hers, though the latter didn't occur until after she already passed the sugar dispenser over to the girl. The older woman didn't expect the younger party to take the offer, though... Just in case, the elder folded her hands together and glanced outside of the dining room window.
"It doesn't really rain up here, you know," she remarked with a gentle laugh, "It's too cold for that. It pretty much only snows, and when it snows, it snows a lot. I think if this were lower down, then maybe this place would get flooded. It's a wonder how the snow hasn't destroyed everything in its path..." She then raised a brow at the other party, as she thought for a moment that something was uttered. "I hope that the trip itself wasn't too bad, at the very least? You do look like you need some rest, anyway."
Yea, and that wasn't really going to be helped if that dog of hers wasn't carefully hidden away for the evening. Thank goodness Dolores happened to bribe Poffin with lots of treats beforehand, though... Just in case.
She nudged a carton of strawberries to the other party before opining further, "But enough about that. You do seem... Okay with my presence, yes?" Her throat ran dry. That was an acceptable way to say it, right? Dolores blinked before giving the girl a sheepish grin, one that reached her eyes just a little bit too easily. "I mean... I do apologize for the dog, and I know that I'm not always the most helpful, but... I mean..." Another pause. "... The fact that you're here should mean something in general, yes?"
Perhaps Dolores was just a little bit too lonely for her own good. She had kind of forgotten what a friend was over the years, and it seemed that nothing she did could really satiate her. Yet the need didn't decrease; if anything, it only increased, because she was getting older, and the dog was going to need someone to take care of her in case Dolores happened to die.
Well, it wouldn't be the girl - or her grizzled adopted father - for sure, but... Someone! At the very least!
"So..." hummed Dolores with a gentle smile, and thank fuck for that, because that grin from earlier was starting to make her facial muscles hurt. "... I wouldn't mind getting to know you better in time. I know we don't always talk often, but when we do... It's nice. It's nicer than being alone up in the mountains, at least." With another chuckle, Dolores took a strawberry and started to eat it. "Not that I'd expect you to come here every day, or even that often," she insisted, "but... Sometimes would be okay. And I wouldn't mind coming down to the lowlands either, just for that opportunity, don't you think?"
damn it, Dolores needs more friends too- >:(
here's.... a follow-up....
It wasn't every day that Dolores came down to the lowlands, let alone to feel like she was just a few meters from the sea at all times. She was reminded of her younger days in that moment, if only because the saline air was always full of memories for her - whether she liked it or not. Sometimes she'd be at ease where she was, but sometimes, she felt uneasy. Far, far too uneasy for her own good.
Guess which mood she was in, as the older woman glanced around and rubbed the back of her neck?
Eye contact was conveniently averted with the other party, given that... Dolores had no idea what to think. It was true that medics weren't viewed that highly, but at the same time, it was just normal for Dolores to be deferential. So deferential, in fact, that her hand barely lifted up the rim of her dress in a scrapped attempt at a curtsy. Her fingers, even then, lingered there as Dolores took everything in, from the coziness of the younger woman's residence to the sweet scent of a baked good coming in from the kitchen.
"Baklava?" she repeated when the younger woman mentioned it, before starting to chuckle, "Frankly, I've never had such a dish before-" It was uttered awkwardly. All too awkwardly, really, as the older woman watched in apprehension, as the her host seemed to insist that she be the one serving the older woman. Frankly, the former maid thought it should be the other way around, given that medics at least could claim a professional status, thanks to the years that went into their training.
What was a maid worth, really? Dolores wondered as she took a bite of the treat and raised a brow. It wasn't too sweet, yet it was still rich nonetheless. It was so rich that the older woman had to take a sip of water right afterwards, as well as a healthy dose of guilt for implying that the dish served to her wasn't completely to her liking. Besides... For someone who grew up in a town known for its honey, Dolores was supposed to have a high tolerance for sweets!
With a nod, she sighed, "It's fine, don't worry. I can understand your predicament. I live up in the mountains, so resources don't always come by easily. They often have to be imported from the lowland, and that takes up time and energy, thanks to the harsh weather, so..." Dolores trailed off for a moment, only to pick the conversation back up just moments later. "... Obviously, everything is more expensive. And when you're a retired, older woman whose only income is derived from social security, then the budget gets a bit tight at times. I don't need to be particularly picky, but you have no idea how frustrating it is when the fresh goods cost more than the processed ones!" She chuckled uneasily before holding a hand over her mouth.
Well then. That was awkward.
Thank goodness the conversation shifted over to friends, because holy fuck did Dolores need friends.
"Well, in terms of social advancement," the woman replied with a slight frown, "I wouldn't be able to really help you much. I was associated with rich folk, yes, but that was a long time ago. I doubt any of them remember me, assuming that they're alive in the first place. If you want, I could invite you to my abode in the mountains sometime. The weather there is harsh sometimes, but it's... Nice." Was that the right word to say, considering the isolation and the harsh weather? Dolores had to stop and think for a moment. "... Yea. Nice."