[It's strange to realize how unused to being looked at like this he is. He really has been living by this village too long, he's no longer accustomed to being stared at with eyes that accuse him of being a monster. Still, he's too old for the ache to be anything more than dull.
If he were younger and less tired he'd do something kind, like pretend he WAS a monster, now that Gaius has seen. If he still had the energy, he'd let this man keep the ideas that make his world make sense. But he's so old, and so weary. He feels bad about it, but he doesn't have it in him to act the part that's expected just to spare a perfectly nice church boy a crisis.
He crouches, instead, picking up his sunglasses and putting them on again. It does nothing for the rest, but his eyes are the most inhuman part, the part that can't be explained away as bad tattoos or bad hair. It won't work to conceal what he is, but maybe hiding his eyes will help soothe Gaius a little on an instinctive level, who knows.]
Because it was the right thing to do.
[He says it... Tiredly. There's ancient weariness there, as he rises to his feet again.]
And concealing myself from you was also the right thing. You can't fight me right now Gaius. You still can barely walk, that fire takes from your own life force, please don't make me knock you out to extinguish it, you can't afford to be making yourself worse right now.
I told you before, I mean you no harm. When you're healed enough I'll leave this place. I only ask you ensure the church sends a priest to protect it full time. These mountains are remote, they don't have time to wait for help if something comes up.
no subject
If he were younger and less tired he'd do something kind, like pretend he WAS a monster, now that Gaius has seen. If he still had the energy, he'd let this man keep the ideas that make his world make sense. But he's so old, and so weary. He feels bad about it, but he doesn't have it in him to act the part that's expected just to spare a perfectly nice church boy a crisis.
He crouches, instead, picking up his sunglasses and putting them on again. It does nothing for the rest, but his eyes are the most inhuman part, the part that can't be explained away as bad tattoos or bad hair. It won't work to conceal what he is, but maybe hiding his eyes will help soothe Gaius a little on an instinctive level, who knows.]
Because it was the right thing to do.
[He says it... Tiredly. There's ancient weariness there, as he rises to his feet again.]
And concealing myself from you was also the right thing. You can't fight me right now Gaius. You still can barely walk, that fire takes from your own life force, please don't make me knock you out to extinguish it, you can't afford to be making yourself worse right now.
I told you before, I mean you no harm. When you're healed enough I'll leave this place. I only ask you ensure the church sends a priest to protect it full time. These mountains are remote, they don't have time to wait for help if something comes up.