[ His expression softens as he listens, charmed by Yves' description of and love for his grandfather. ]
Well, I don't really believe in curses. A flower is a flower, neither good nor evil. And honestly, humans are way too quick to assume they belong in everywhere, more than the nature that's native to the land.
[ Rubs his chin. ]
I don't know if I'd take the risk myself given the consequences of a misstep... But if it's a place beloved to you and your family, then that's fine, isn't it?
[ ah... he didn't even realize that he was nervous, but he relaxes a little bit at claude's acceptance with the explanation. is this how people react? maybe he could've trusted more in the island (he would've been stoned and killed) ]
There are little paths you can take to make sure you don't hurt them - they really don't make problems for anyone as long as you're careful. But... I get it.
[ why people naturally don't want to risk it ]
I think it's safer to talk about here. The whole island probably would've scorned me even worse if I mentioned it while I was alive.
yves tries for a smile, just a little smaller than usual ]
You'd think so. [ a beat, thoughtful ] Mm, I don't know why but my scar is... strange.
It's frightening for people. It makes them think I'm possessed, or there's something wrong with me. I... was lucky and given this mask to hide it, and they handle me better now.
[ there is hesitation here - not from lack of trust, but a fear. it eases slightly when claude closes the distance between them, and yves squeezes back
even so, he looks out toward the ocean ]
… well they’re a superstitious people. They think it’s related to the curse. There was another girl there on the night of the fire, who already had rumors surrounding her…
I saved her, but none of what happened was her fault. But because my scar reminds them of the curse… They thought I was Death’s puppet.
[ Frown edging on the borders of irritation, though it's not directed at Yves. ]
I'm sorry that you've had to deal with that. People really are too quick to hurt real individuals for imaginary reasons. [ It makes him so mad. ] And while I regret that you feel like you have to hide part of you to make yourself palatable to others, I understand why you'd protect yourself.
[ Having to do it even heaven kind of sucks though. ]
yves' expression softens a bit at that, even if there's something a bit... sad at the corners. he's also sad that he has to still do this in heaven, when not having a scar was the only thing he wanted for so long. he'll squeeze's claude's hand again, grateful. ]
... thank you. I think people are afraid of what they don't understand, but... it doesn't change how painful it can be.
I'm alright now. Having friends like you defend and reassure me does make a big difference. I feel lucky to have that, despite everything else.
Honestly, I think if you were to remove it, no one here would reject you. Except maybe a couple of the assholes. [ idk he doesn't know dan(?) ] But there's no reason to push it.
Besides. [ Freeing his hand, he'll brush a finger over the bottom of the mask. ] It is a beautiful mask. There's no reason to hurry to cast it aside after its been at your side so loyally.
yves stills when claude's hand comes up, and there's just a little hitch in his breath that comes with the touch. he doesn't shift any further, afraid of dislodging his mask even the slightest bit, but...
he blinks in surprise, and only after a second, does he carefully move back just a bit to regain space ]
I trust you.
[ just to put that into the air between them. it's not claude, it's just a lifetime of rejection speaking. ]
... but you're right. I do like it. It was the first kindness that was shown to me after the fire, and from the first person who was willing to speak to a lonely child. I'm grateful, for a lot of reasons.
[ HE RELATES TOO HARD.... yves will just nod gratefully, and go back to looking out at the ocean side by side. he'll lean lightly against claude to regain some of that closeness even if he's not entirely comfortable with a hand by his mask ]
Some nice traveling merchant... He looked really ethereal...
I must've kept him a while, just asking him to talk to me. [ a little laugh ] So... I'm glad he did.
[ Aw, gives him a brief hug at that, squeezing him with the energy of an Asian uncle. ]
People can be assholes, unfortunately. All we can do is try and surround ourselves with the positivity needed to remind us that the world isn't all terrible.
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Well, I don't really believe in curses. A flower is a flower, neither good nor evil. And honestly, humans are way too quick to assume they belong in everywhere, more than the nature that's native to the land.
[ Rubs his chin. ]
I don't know if I'd take the risk myself given the consequences of a misstep... But if it's a place beloved to you and your family, then that's fine, isn't it?
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There are little paths you can take to make sure you don't hurt them - they really don't make problems for anyone as long as you're careful. But... I get it.
[ why people naturally don't want to risk it ]
I think it's safer to talk about here. The whole island probably would've scorned me even worse if I mentioned it while I was alive.
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[ Man, cut this guy some slack. ]
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[ but he does realize something and he pouts a bit ]
But I feel like we talk too much about me, Claude? I don’t mind - but I’ll start to get self-conscious… I want to know about you too, if that’s okay.
[ yves would sooner die than be that hinge date that talks about himself for 45 minutes ]
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But I almost got to ask all the questions I had. The last one being if it's related to your mask.
And why you wear a mask.
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[ he's taken aback, obviously - and that little bit of nervousness does come back
but there's only one answer here and yves isn't in the habit of lying to his friends ]
... well. Yes.
... but the day's nice, and you seemed to be enjoying the peace. I don't want to bring down your mood with something so... [ pitiful? ] sad.
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No, I should apologize. I shouldn't dredge up painful memories for the sake of my curiosity.
I hope you'll forgive me.
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No, that's not—of course I forgive you.
It's okay. I don't mind. It really is just... I can handle it okay, but I don't want to make others sad with it.
The same reason I wear a mask so I don't scare people.
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His brows furrow. ]
Scare people? Are you hiding a dragon under there?
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yves tries for a smile, just a little smaller than usual ]
You'd think so. [ a beat, thoughtful ] Mm, I don't know why but my scar is... strange.
It's frightening for people. It makes them think I'm possessed, or there's something wrong with me. I... was lucky and given this mask to hide it, and they handle me better now.
I think that's the easiest way to say it.
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[ Well, he guesses that can be intimidating, but it seems like a silly reason to ostracize people.
Then again, he knows all about that.
He'll take one of his hands and squeeze. ]
Why is it strange?
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even so, he looks out toward the ocean ]
… well they’re a superstitious people. They think it’s related to the curse. There was another girl there on the night of the fire, who already had rumors surrounding her…
I saved her, but none of what happened was her fault. But because my scar reminds them of the curse… They thought I was Death’s puppet.
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[ Well, people are strange. ]
But you're still wearing the mask here. Are you worried people will mistreat you?
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[ so he’s a little more open than usual, because it’s otherwise hard to explain why he’s wistful for killer plants ]
But I like you all a lot. I’d rather not have that change. Even I can only have my heart broken so many times.
[ and what he’s experienced from removing his mask is always that ]
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I'm sorry that you've had to deal with that. People really are too quick to hurt real individuals for imaginary reasons. [ It makes him so mad. ] And while I regret that you feel like you have to hide part of you to make yourself palatable to others, I understand why you'd protect yourself.
[ Having to do it even heaven kind of sucks though. ]
I suppose we all keep secrets, in any case.
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yves' expression softens a bit at that, even if there's something a bit... sad at the corners. he's also sad that he has to still do this in heaven, when not having a scar was the only thing he wanted for so long. he'll squeeze's claude's hand again, grateful. ]
... thank you. I think people are afraid of what they don't understand, but... it doesn't change how painful it can be.
I'm alright now. Having friends like you defend and reassure me does make a big difference. I feel lucky to have that, despite everything else.
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Honestly, I think if you were to remove it, no one here would reject you. Except maybe a couple of the assholes. [ idk he doesn't know dan(?) ] But there's no reason to push it.
Besides. [ Freeing his hand, he'll brush a finger over the bottom of the mask. ] It is a beautiful mask. There's no reason to hurry to cast it aside after its been at your side so loyally.
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yves stills when claude's hand comes up, and there's just a little hitch in his breath that comes with the touch. he doesn't shift any further, afraid of dislodging his mask even the slightest bit, but...
he blinks in surprise, and only after a second, does he carefully move back just a bit to regain space ]
I trust you.
[ just to put that into the air between them. it's not claude, it's just a lifetime of rejection speaking. ]
... but you're right. I do like it. It was the first kindness that was shown to me after the fire, and from the first person who was willing to speak to a lonely child. I'm grateful, for a lot of reasons.
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His hand drops to Yves' shoulder, squeezing for a moment before falling away. ]
Mhm, nothing wrong with being grateful for that kindness. Who was it, anyway? That gave you the mask?
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Some nice traveling merchant... He looked really ethereal...
I must've kept him a while, just asking him to talk to me. [ a little laugh ] So... I'm glad he did.
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[ They can lean! Cozy... ]
Kind of nice to find kindness like that in a stranger.
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[ he's not afraid of admitting it ]
Things got better after that though, and I'm okay now. People keep their distrust to whispers, and they're nice enough to my face.
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People can be assholes, unfortunately. All we can do is try and surround ourselves with the positivity needed to remind us that the world isn't all terrible.
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I don't think it's terrible... There's people like you in it, so I feel fortunate that our paths have crossed.