He listens. Severus has great respect for Galadriel, and beings like her - but his respect does not extend to encompass affection, or trust, or ease. Of all the representatives of his world that are and have ever been aboard, Severus is the least likely to be demonstrative, the least likely to form alliances or make friends, the least likely to involve others in any part of himself. Even with Nuala, he caters to her in a way that only mimics revelation. He doesn't think she minds.
He thinks Galadriel might mind. He also thinks everything she just said sounds extremely rhetorical. Severus watches her for a little while longer in silence, and wonders if she can tell there's a dead curse embedded in his skin and bones (and heart).
"I was recently called a witch," he deadpans. "It was meant as an insult."
He does not bother explaining a.) that he wasn't insulted by it or b.) why in either case. It's self-evident that witch is thrown at women as a slur while sorcerer is tacked on to men out of fear or respect, and that the label being affixed to him was the pinnacle of maturity.
no subject
He thinks Galadriel might mind. He also thinks everything she just said sounds extremely rhetorical. Severus watches her for a little while longer in silence, and wonders if she can tell there's a dead curse embedded in his skin and bones (and heart).
"I was recently called a witch," he deadpans. "It was meant as an insult."
He does not bother explaining a.) that he wasn't insulted by it or b.) why in either case. It's self-evident that witch is thrown at women as a slur while sorcerer is tacked on to men out of fear or respect, and that the label being affixed to him was the pinnacle of maturity.
"Words are mortal constructs."
Magic cannot be defined by them.