[He catches her look, returns her smile, two nervous Mona Lisas regarding each other with careful fondness. It didn't occur to him that it would be reassuring, exactly, it was just the truth, but then Riley's feelings about the way he expresses himself have surprised him in the past. This time it's a good surprise, at least.]
Thank you. [Genuinely. It's something that has always brought him real joy, the first joy he remembers, from the instant he saw blooms burst from loose buttons and realized he was the one doing it. He saved a lot of people, too. Not enough, but some. There's reluctance in the twist of his mouth when he looks back down at Maple, pushes him in the middle of his little forehead with a forefinger.] I can't, no. It's . . . been frustrating. People get hurt so often and there's so little to be done about it. I've been learning from Dr. Pierce, but it's slow going. Obviously. There's a reason people get medical degrees.
[Well. One of two reasons. That's right, he's not actually here to listen to Riley say nice things about him, as tempting as it is to linger in the positivity.]
A lot happened at home before I came here that I want to explain, but I don't know where to start. That sounds like an excuse, and in a way it probably is, but I am going to tell you. Just, for the purposes of this conversation . . . what matters is that I was working with several other people who had similar abilities in an attempt to stop— [Oh, fuck it, whatever.] The leader of a crime syndicate from continuing to harm the people of my home. The person I want to talk to you about isn't that man, but someone he employed and sent to kill us. He's the one who reminds me of Aunamee, because he liked to play with people's pain.
no subject
Thank you. [Genuinely. It's something that has always brought him real joy, the first joy he remembers, from the instant he saw blooms burst from loose buttons and realized he was the one doing it. He saved a lot of people, too. Not enough, but some. There's reluctance in the twist of his mouth when he looks back down at Maple, pushes him in the middle of his little forehead with a forefinger.] I can't, no. It's . . . been frustrating. People get hurt so often and there's so little to be done about it. I've been learning from Dr. Pierce, but it's slow going. Obviously. There's a reason people get medical degrees.
[Well. One of two reasons. That's right, he's not actually here to listen to Riley say nice things about him, as tempting as it is to linger in the positivity.]
A lot happened at home before I came here that I want to explain, but I don't know where to start. That sounds like an excuse, and in a way it probably is, but I am going to tell you. Just, for the purposes of this conversation . . . what matters is that I was working with several other people who had similar abilities in an attempt to stop— [Oh, fuck it, whatever.] The leader of a crime syndicate from continuing to harm the people of my home. The person I want to talk to you about isn't that man, but someone he employed and sent to kill us. He's the one who reminds me of Aunamee, because he liked to play with people's pain.