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Concern clearly hit Natalie in a fast wave at the topic of conversation. After all, the instance in her own head was something that would easily hit home to the trainer both for her profession and the particular ability she carried. The corner of her mouth tugged into a hint of a frown at the question asked of her. She didn't have a good answer for her.
"Usually, there's no consideration. The biggest argument is trying to explain that there's still sentient understanding in a transformative human. They can understand you." She explained. Delving into the circle of reason was a potential nightmare, but Natalie was probably one of the easiest people to discuss it with; "It depends on the judge, mainly, because there's no law that offers an exemption. If you're in that form and you're walking in the street and something happens, you're not leashed. So your owner is at fault for anything that happens to you."
She shook her head at the fact, glancing down; "And your owner is... You. It doesn't make sense."
Details offered gave insight that Natalie hadn't realized she needed. Dark eyes went wide at the explanation that made no real sense from any perspective she could gather. Without realizing it, she was leaning closer with her peaked interest. "That's... so sad." She immediately shook her head, wondering how the law could have remained like this for so long - that was still in existence.
"It must be incredibly frustrating for you." No wonder Teddy had found herself here in the later hours. It sounded like a lose-lose situation, and although her counterpart said she couldn't get into the details, she inched a little closer to the edge of her seat. "Is it possible to make an amendment to the law? Or is it more like finding a loophole?"
The look on Natalie's face was one Teddy often saw in this line of work. People went about their lives with no knowledge of the lack of their own protection. People like herself - and Natalie too, really - were fortunate that there was nothing about their abilities that showed outwardly. They could blend in with such ease.
"At this stage, it's often more like... Trying to explain why we need exemptions. Things are never going to be as simple as everyone hopes, so we can't have a legal system that operates." She continued with a small shrug, and she then waved her fork idly; "Again, it depends on the judge. Some rule on a case-by-case basis, and some are strict to the letter."
The latter was what always worried her. She couldn't help that. "But this is a country where you and I couldn't even get married to each other until three years ago. No affirmation of equal love and no legal rights. Things don't change over night, even if it is blatantly wrong."
At the very least, Teddy sounded like she knew exactly what she was talking about, even in an unfortunate circumstance. Though she had no doubts about the lawyer's skills, there was comfort in her explanation - in a strange way. It didn't sound good, but at least there was someone working on it that was clearly so good at her job.
And the comparison was enough to temporarily distract her. If only for the exact phrasing Teddy opted to use. She definitely had a great point to it, but it forced an image to her head she was all too willing to humor. Stupidly so. "America is certainly behind on the times." And now matters were only made worse with their current political standing. "And England really is in much better standing?"
Reaching a darker twist to this wasn't exactly what Teddy wanted. She didn't want to cloud the moments they shared with work despite their setting, and she didn't want to drag someone so bright into something that seemed so futile. It was odd to want to protect a grown woman from anything, but she was just so nice, she never wanted to see that get ruined by the weight of what she did for a living.
"Not really, to be honest. But they always seemed more open to change." She admitted then. Though she didn't like to falter her own home country, she couldn't give credit where it wasn't due. "And we could get married there four years ago." Small victories; she'd take them wherever she could get them.
American politics were so consuming, that Natalie admittedly didn't know much about the country her counterpart was from. At least, from a deep political perspective. The corner of her mouth rose up with a bit of humor, even when it was on a somewhat dark subject. The right to marry was long overdue, but The way Teddy put it was something to be said within itself.
"Lucky us, then."
And there it was, this concept of luck. It was funny how they always circled back to it. "At least there's progress. Even if it is painfully slow. There's comfort in knowing we could be married in the morning if we wanted. Even if it was decades overdue."
Luck was another point entirely, but one they often managed to find their way to. The second the word left her mouth, Teddy was reaching up to adjust her glasses, like they really needed to be fixed.
She offered her a small smile to the point she made beyond that luck. "I try my best not to dwell on the past, especially if it's negative." She said then, "Sure, It took so long to get here, but we're here now. Though we can never ignore our history, we can at least be happy with what we have now, and happier that we'll keep progressing."
It was the most Natalie-like way she could spin the downfall of their current society. Optimism wasn't something Teddy always wore herself, but this woman was one to bring it out of her.
There was a fine line between ignoring the past and living in it, and it seemed that the lawyer had a similar mindset to herself. The smile Natalie wore grew a little warmer. These days, it was growing harder and harder to focus on the progression of basic human rights, but there was something to be said about the people fighting for them. It was like a beacon of hope.
"You're absolutely right." Natalie agreed, so much that she also offered a nod. Few could look so optimistically outward like that; she was glad in this instance that her counterpart did.
She could just talk with her for days, assuming distraction didn't derail them. And with that came the realization that she was being a distraction. "I'm sorry; I'm keeping you from your work."
Of course she thought Teddy was right. It was a response so perfectly crafted for the trainer. Not to say she didn't share that understanding in some way, but these little moments were perfect or deciphering more and more about her by way of her own responses.
Eyebrows rose when realisation seemed to strike Natalie. It was then that a kind of surprise coloured her own features. For the most part, Teddy preferred to be completely composed and cool, almost to a fault. She closed the container in her hands, but she didn't move to get up just yet.
"No no, please. I-" She started abruptly. Unrefined. She took a second to compose herself, "I don't want you go leave."
She hadn't gotten up yet, but Natalie uncrossed her legs, palms pressing to her legs with the threat of doing so. But surprised colored Teddy's normally collective composure. She couldn't recall a time that the lawyer had cut a sentence in half. What caught her more, though, was the statement she offered. She didn't want her to leave. And really, Natalie didn't want to leave.
Her smile borderlined a grin. It wasn't like Natalie to be smug, but there was satisfaction in hearing those words.
"Then I'm happy to stay." She offered with a tilt of her chin. Because she was happy to do so. "How was it?" She asked then, eyes briefly darting down to the container.
That was a look not often worn by the trainer. Teddy glanced directly at the way she grinned, taking in the rare sight before she sought to catch her eyes again. Did she look smug? It was hard to tell because she didn't often seem to indulge herself in potentially selfish feelings.
At least she agreed to stay. She wasn't so self-sacrificing that she'd deny what Teddy wanted.
"Perfect." She replied with ease, eager to give compliments to this woman where they were due; "You may make a vegan of me yet."
Weakness aside, it was hard to sit across from her with no points of contact at all. She eased back in her seat, trying to find any comfort as she took a small sip of the tea provided. "What will you do when you go home tonight?"
Though Natalie wasn't seeking a compliment, she happily took the one offered of her. It was rare to find someone so accepting of the diet Natalie chose to live by. Teddy was an exception - she was spoiled by her presence from the first night they had met.
Her mouth scrunched to the side as she thought. Really, Natalie hadn't given much consideration into the rest of her night; when plans changed, she had made a game plan up until this point. "I'll probably just settle down with the family and read." Really, that was her go to evening when there wasn't much else to do, and she certainly didn't mind it. "And how long does it look like you'll be staying here? I hope you don't plan to sleep in your office."
Humble was the best word to describe Natalie's home life plans after this. It forced her to keep the smile she had on her face for a little while longer.
"I'm not sure. Not for too much longer, I hope." She admitted. At a certain point, there wasn't much more she could do. Mulling over the same notes only worked for so long.
"I'll go home eventually, I'm sure." She continued with a small laugh, "I can't very well wear the same outfit twice in a row; everyone will notice." Else she wouldn't have bothered to leave Natalie's place as early as she'd had to after her impromptu visit.
Though Natalie knew she couldn't speak on when the lawyer should go home, she was glad to hear she wouldn't keep herself in there much longer. She needed to sleep, eventually. At least she recognized that, and it drew a little laugh out of the trainer as she drew a hand through her hair. It was easier to shift in her seat than try to remain still, given the space left between them.
"As long as you do manage to get some rest." Natalie agreed. In part, it was why she had yet to invite the lawyer back over when she did decide to wrap up. She doubted Teddy would manage to sleep as easily were she to come and stay the night. Though it hardly meant she didn't want to ask. "Eating and sleeping properly make all the difference."
Was that conflict in her eyes? Teddy knew she shouldn't have been using her ability given the fact that this was supposed to be a down day for that, but there she was, glancing through lenses to aid her better sense. She took a slow breath inward, trying to determine if she should have said anything.
"Look at you, teaching me." She replied. There was no ignoring that this woman had a penchant for keeping her up at night; "It's a bit of a contradiction, but I'll take it."
In silence, she truly let her settle in her eyes. Stuck in her seat with every intention of wanting to move, she freed her hands just to place them back together. She crossed one leg over the other.