In The Rough

[Reeves]

He seemed surprised at her absolute lack of any grievances with his former life. He had always assumed that the Xenos nurtured a generous degree of hatred for the wealthy, on account of how such wealth was commonly earned, which was rampant exploitation. Instead, it was like he'd riled her up for nothing. This produced a very odd sensation, it wasn't happiness, and it was too significant to just be relief. It felt liberating for somebody to finally know. "I was afraid I'd sour your impression of me before I got to know you." Admitting the cause behind the exaggeration of his concerns betrayed another fact. It implied that he had a degree of interest in her, it was perhaps clear by now given his opening remarks about her eyes, but it wasn't clear why he gave it such a level of significance.

"No, I haven't told anybody else. You're the first person to hear any of this. I just never wanted to be judged on anything other than my performance and the choices I make. In my experience, the kind of lifestyle I enjoyed is usually cause for contempt if not hate from the members of our movement." At least for now he appeared to be mistaken, and that combined with any lack of disapproval from her prompted him to relax again. Posture loosening and face somewhat lightened up from relief. At the moment, she did truly know more about him than anyone else did.

"I've considered telling people before, but I don't see much of a point. This is who I am now, I've made my choices, that's what matters to me going forward. But at the same time, you're right. Keeping it from people won't do me any favors." To his credit, he'd never broken eye contact yet, but that was likely owed to his repeatedly stated fascination with her own. The brief sight of her metal arm didn't seem to do much in the way of distracting him with idle curiosity either. As he grew quiet again, it seemed as if he remembered something that he'd forgotten about thanks to the conversation.

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