[When she touches his arm this time, he doesn’t flinch. How can he? His entire body is tended up like a knot of steel cords. He lowers his gaze to the floor between them. He’s lost. Confused. The cognitive dissonance between what he feels and what Zelda is saying is deafening.]
[Because he knows her words come from a place of kindness. Even Acteon and Kessler knew what he could do and said much of the same. That they trust him. They aren’t scared of him. He’s not a monster.]
[But they didn’t see what Dromas did. They didn’t see what he was apparently capable of. And they didn’t know about the prophecy, about the origins of his power. That he’s an Archfiend God of destruction. That he’s literally supposed to be the end of Anmaral.]
[So while Zelda says she’s not afraid of him now, he can’t help but believe that will change. That if she ever learns the truth, she’ll be terrified of him. And, honestly? As much as that prospect hurts, he’d prefer it to actually hurting her. Or anyone for that matter. He’d rather be alone than disappoint people who came to trust him. If they can’t stand him, they can’t get hurt when he inevitably changes. He’ll be easier to stop.]
[He can’t meet her gaze but she could easily step into his.]
Then clearly you don’t recognize danger when you see it.
[One last push; a weak barb meant to try and cause her to get upset and withdraw. Before she starts to care too much.]
no subject
[Because he knows her words come from a place of kindness. Even Acteon and Kessler knew what he could do and said much of the same. That they trust him. They aren’t scared of him. He’s not a monster.]
[But they didn’t see what Dromas did. They didn’t see what he was apparently capable of. And they didn’t know about the prophecy, about the origins of his power. That he’s an Archfiend God of destruction. That he’s literally supposed to be the end of Anmaral.]
[So while Zelda says she’s not afraid of him now, he can’t help but believe that will change. That if she ever learns the truth, she’ll be terrified of him. And, honestly? As much as that prospect hurts, he’d prefer it to actually hurting her. Or anyone for that matter. He’d rather be alone than disappoint people who came to trust him. If they can’t stand him, they can’t get hurt when he inevitably changes. He’ll be easier to stop.]
[He can’t meet her gaze but she could easily step into his.]
Then clearly you don’t recognize danger when you see it.
[One last push; a weak barb meant to try and cause her to get upset and withdraw. Before she starts to care too much.]