Despite the fact that, yes, Lydia knows that she's beautiful, to hear Ray say so aloud brings a small smile to her face that she modestly tries to hide by looking down at her glass. She understands what he means; no, he's not shallow. Physical attraction matters, though, in Lydia's opinion. It's not the most important thing, but it is important, and she's always viewed those who vehemently disagree to be liars vying for approval. She looks back up at him when he clarifies that what he truly wants is a partner who can help him make the world a better place, and although she doesn't admit it aloud, Lydia feels a small ping of relief deep within her chest. In the end, they have the same goal. That's much more comforting to her than knowing that Ray is attracted to her, and knowing that he's attracted to her is definitely comforting whether he knows it or not.
She lets him finish, swirling her champagne around her flute with a steady hand as she listens, and once he does she glances back down to take another sip. His comment about the dowry is nice, and she completely understands why he feels the need to clarify... but she doesn't like it. "When it comes to an arrangement there's bound to be pressure put on one or both parties," she begins, the natural rasp of her voice more audible now that she's not trying so hard to sound passive, or professional, "And I appreciate you saying that. But I'm not that person." She looks at him with eyes that are more quizzical than intense, as if she's reading him as she speaks. "My family can try to convince me and the dowry can be nice," not that she knows what it is, "but I'm never going to do something that I don't want to do. I'm not here for a dowry." The corners of her mouth crack upward in a tiny smile.
"I'm here because you're Ray Palmer. I don't mean because your name is on the side of a building, or anything like that." She waves her hand a little with a paired shake of her head and a facial shrug. "Status isn't really something I care about anymore, I went through that phase a long time ago. I mean, you're Ray Palmer. You use everything that you learn to help people and make the world a better place for those who can't do it themselves. I want to do that." She falls silent long enough to chew the corner of her lip nervously and shrug. "It's hard to get out of Beacon Hills. I can't help people while I'm stuck there, and..." she trails off before looking at him once more. "...the idea of having a husband who does exactly what I've always wanted to do, who can understand that type of drive? It's too good to pass up. I'm not here for a dowry, I'm here because I want to be. If I didn't, I wouldn't have even left the house." That teasing look returns to her eye. "So don't worry about that. And it was a good call to make, I'd probably go crazy redecorating if we moved into a home that I didn't like."
Her brow furrows a little after she takes another sip, and Lydia stares down at her champagne glass for a few seconds before she finally decides to continue with her honest streak, and she looks up at him. "Are you sure that working on nanotech integration with a weapons manufacturer is a good idea? That can get very dangerous very fast, no?"
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She lets him finish, swirling her champagne around her flute with a steady hand as she listens, and once he does she glances back down to take another sip. His comment about the dowry is nice, and she completely understands why he feels the need to clarify... but she doesn't like it. "When it comes to an arrangement there's bound to be pressure put on one or both parties," she begins, the natural rasp of her voice more audible now that she's not trying so hard to sound passive, or professional, "And I appreciate you saying that. But I'm not that person." She looks at him with eyes that are more quizzical than intense, as if she's reading him as she speaks. "My family can try to convince me and the dowry can be nice," not that she knows what it is, "but I'm never going to do something that I don't want to do. I'm not here for a dowry." The corners of her mouth crack upward in a tiny smile.
"I'm here because you're Ray Palmer. I don't mean because your name is on the side of a building, or anything like that." She waves her hand a little with a paired shake of her head and a facial shrug. "Status isn't really something I care about anymore, I went through that phase a long time ago. I mean, you're Ray Palmer. You use everything that you learn to help people and make the world a better place for those who can't do it themselves. I want to do that." She falls silent long enough to chew the corner of her lip nervously and shrug. "It's hard to get out of Beacon Hills. I can't help people while I'm stuck there, and..." she trails off before looking at him once more. "...the idea of having a husband who does exactly what I've always wanted to do, who can understand that type of drive? It's too good to pass up. I'm not here for a dowry, I'm here because I want to be. If I didn't, I wouldn't have even left the house." That teasing look returns to her eye. "So don't worry about that. And it was a good call to make, I'd probably go crazy redecorating if we moved into a home that I didn't like."
Her brow furrows a little after she takes another sip, and Lydia stares down at her champagne glass for a few seconds before she finally decides to continue with her honest streak, and she looks up at him. "Are you sure that working on nanotech integration with a weapons manufacturer is a good idea? That can get very dangerous very fast, no?"