"Maeve," he calls again, sudden. A line cast before she can leave. Before he knows what he'd even say.

He hesitates. Silence passes between them. And then, slow and careful as the bowing of a branch, he steps off of the stage. Takes a step towards her. Then another. Another. He folds the book under his arm.

He stops in front of her, fifteen feet away.

"I..." Stops. "You..."

Doesn't take his eyes off of her.

"If you want..." inhale, "... to leave, I won't make you stay. But if you do, I... want you to feel like you can. You can."

Wow that's probably the least eloquent way he could've put this.