[ that's not something he can just ignore. Zara continues preparing the tea, putting the heat on for a silent moment or two, but he's quick to turn to her afterwards, dark eyes soft with concern. ]
... I see. By yourself... [ he smiles slightly; there's sympathy there. He's been there, too. ] Well, if you would have me, I'd be happy to teach you plenty of things now that you're not alone.
Of course I want you! [ That surprised her, and the words escape in a rush before Mary can think of a more tactful response. Just as quickly, she waves her hands in front of her (mugs safely set down for now). ] You really know a lot, Zara!
[ at least he didn't accidentally make her more upset by reminding her of a sad topic. He chuckles lightly. ]
You're too kind. It was simply my job to know these things back home. [ and a little bit of his own interest, too... ] ... Though perhaps we should hold off on edible wild plants for now.
[ this Japan seems to be the source of an awful lot of refugees here - coincidence, maybe. Her situation sounds familiar in a most peculiar way otherwise. ]
My mother told me that to protect me. Because the humans out there... we were monsters to them. I didn't understand-- mm, no-- [ Ever so slowly, she shakes her head. ] I didn't want to stay inside, even if I knew what we were.
After that-- [ what is "that", Mary ] I was too scared of everything. Of people, of how dangerous I was to them...
[ This is more than she'd admit, but this is also Zara. She owes him this much. ]
[ seeing as he comes from a world where humans are just one of several sapient races, he's not particularly disturbed by the revelation; he simply tilts his head, and, after a few seconds: ]
[ Zara blinks, frowning. The monsters he's known have all had human faces. She seems to understand that much, as well. Whatever she is, it clearly weighs heavily on her mind. ]
... Perhaps I should rephrase. Your heart doesn't look like a monster's heart to me. [ with a serious expression, he gazes straight at her. ] Your blood doesn't matter. I've met people of many, many species, and all of them are characterized by their actions, not the shape of their ears. To judge them otherwise is dangerous and foolish.
... Everyone here is different.... like how my friends were. [ It's a soft admittance. ] And it's hard to get used to. I keep thinking if I'm not careful, someone might be afraid of me and what I am.
[ gently, he shakes his head. ] Of course we do. The world I hail from is far from perfect.
[ but Nesso - and Huma in general - aren't the ones that do most of the discrimination. That comes from the race in power: the Katzi. Even then, there are the Wolves, and even his own race, both of which have been marginalized by society. But the details are complicated, and now isn't the time. ]
But our country was founded on equality between races, and most of us - Nesso included - still believe in that.
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[ he asks, not grasping the weight of the statement; one of his ears swivels curiously. ]
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[ Not an understatement. ]
So I had to teach myself a lot of things, from memory or from books.
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... I see. By yourself... [ he smiles slightly; there's sympathy there. He's been there, too. ] Well, if you would have me, I'd be happy to teach you plenty of things now that you're not alone.
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You're too kind. It was simply my job to know these things back home. [ and a little bit of his own interest, too... ] ... Though perhaps we should hold off on edible wild plants for now.
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I... think so, too. I don't think we'll have to eat them yet.
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[ implying there even are weeds around that are edible. he has no idea... there probably are?! ]
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[ Actual food!! ]
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[ a pause. while he waits for the water to heat up, he leans against the kitchen counter, tilting his head at Mary. ]
... You know, Mary, I've lived with you for quite a while, but I still know almost nothing about you. May I ask about where you came from?
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[ How to explain this... how to explain all of it, really, and Mary fidgets ever so slightly, twisting her fingers together. ]
Japan? But I lived in a forest for a really long time. I wasn't supposed to go outside.
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You couldn't leave the forest?
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After that-- [ what is "that", Mary ] I was too scared of everything. Of people, of how dangerous I was to them...
[ This is more than she'd admit, but this is also Zara. She owes him this much. ]
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[ SOMETHING IS OFF HERE and it is the fact that she's calling humans... well, "humans." Not even "the other humans." Zara's brow furrows. ]
Mary, are you not a human, yourself?
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No... like they thought, I'm a monster. It's in my blood.
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You hardly look like a monster to me, dear.
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... Perhaps I should rephrase. Your heart doesn't look like a monster's heart to me. [ with a serious expression, he gazes straight at her. ] Your blood doesn't matter. I've met people of many, many species, and all of them are characterized by their actions, not the shape of their ears. To judge them otherwise is dangerous and foolish.
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[ he thinks you're cute, mary! ]
I'm sorry that you had to deal with prejudice like that.
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[ but Nesso - and Huma in general - aren't the ones that do most of the discrimination. That comes from the race in power: the Katzi. Even then, there are the Wolves, and even his own race, both of which have been marginalized by society. But the details are complicated, and now isn't the time. ]
But our country was founded on equality between races, and most of us - Nesso included - still believe in that.
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[ Then again, Mary's race seemed to only consist of three people, and two of them were gone. ]
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[ sadly, it ends up being mostly an ideal. ]
... May I ask what you are, Mary? I promise that I won't be afraid.
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Do you know what a medusa is?
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[ he racks his brain for the term, but comes up with nothing. ]
I'm afraid not.
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