[ 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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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.