[ At least Ren's experience was...less unpleasant. Still unwanted, still discarded, but...more peaceful.
But it wounded just as deeply, they think - no, they know. By the way she lowers her voice and hesitates, by the way the answers come painful and reluctant and slow, they can tell. They -- they understand.
They nod, in response. Yes, people are different here. They see - children who run and play, deserve to be given attention and affection freely. Not faulty, failed experiments. Not an unsuitable catalyst, not a discarded vessel.
After a moment, unsure of how to convey what they want to convey through words, they sketch something in the sand.
She had said to them, once, that their heart glowed. It reminds me of the stars, she had said.
A thing that gave warmth and light - not the harsh, painful light of a plague unconstrained, but a warm, soft feeling. Kindness and affection.
They point to the simple drawing they've made in the sand, and then reach out to pat a small hand against her chest. ]
Star [ they sign, insistently, repeating it for emphasis. Not unsuitable, not flawed, not wrong inside, not in a way they care about, not in the way that matters. Her heart shines just as brightly as she said theirs did. It always has. It always will. ]
no subject
But it wounded just as deeply, they think - no, they know. By the way she lowers her voice and hesitates, by the way the answers come painful and reluctant and slow, they can tell. They -- they understand.
They nod, in response. Yes, people are different here. They see - children who run and play, deserve to be given attention and affection freely. Not faulty, failed experiments. Not an unsuitable catalyst, not a discarded vessel.
After a moment, unsure of how to convey what they want to convey through words, they sketch something in the sand.
She had said to them, once, that their heart glowed. It reminds me of the stars, she had said.
A thing that gave warmth and light - not the harsh, painful light of a plague unconstrained, but a warm, soft feeling. Kindness and affection.
They point to the simple drawing they've made in the sand, and then reach out to pat a small hand against her chest. ]
Star [ they sign, insistently, repeating it for emphasis. Not unsuitable, not flawed, not wrong inside, not in a way they care about, not in the way that matters. Her heart shines just as brightly as she said theirs did. It always has. It always will. ]