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[drops_acid]

Date: July 19th
From: Anonymous


How would you define the word monster?


[A few recent conversations have gotten her thinking about certain things and she's genuinely curious about the answers she might get. Cardia is well aware that there are a few people who do know her secret and could probably guess that this is from her. But she's not brave enough to ask something like this without anonymity to hide behind.]

Comments

[sweetdeath]

I don't know. But if somebody made a mistake that killed someone I loved, I'd feel a lot different about them than I would about a murderer. Wouldn't you?

It's different. It just is! Maybe some people would hate whoever's fault it was just as much either way, but that's --

[His voice catches, and he gives up on the sentence, insisting, instead:]

It's different.

[drops_acid]

I'm sorry, I didn't mean to upset you.
I honestly don't know how I'd feel in that case.
But you seem very kind.
Thank you.

[sweetdeath]

Um --

[He hesitates, caught off guard by her apology, and swallows audibly. After a minute, he manages:]

Uh, it's okay. It's not being kind or anything, it's just... you know.

I don't like that word.

[drops_acid]

Monster?
To be honest, I don't like it very much either.

[sweetdeath]

Yeah. "Monster."

[Quietly, almost hesitantly, he continues.]

... because some people do think it means anybody who's different, and that's just wrong.

[drops_acid]

You're right.
Anyone who would believe something like that is wrong.
But there are some who definitely deserve the label.

[sweetdeath]

[He sighs, and, after a moment, replies quietly.]

Some... yeah.

[drops_acid]

I really am sorry if I dredged up an unpleasant memory.
But I'm glad that I was able to get your perspective on this.
It's given me a lot to think about.

[sweetdeath]

... I mean, I'm a shinki, so you -- didn't really....

[He's audibly uncomfortable, hesitating, before he rushes quickly on to add:]

Anyway, though, I hope it helps!

[drops_acid]

Forgive me, that was completely thoughtless of me.
I really meant it when I said that talking to you helped though.

[sweetdeath]

... I'm glad, then. You know, that it helped.

[He sounds, just a little, relieved.]

[drops_acid]

Yes.
I hope we get a chance to talk again someday.

[sweetdeath]

[His voice is awkward, but soft.]

-- Me too. You'll have to look me up, though.

[Since he doesn't know who this is....]

[drops_acid]

I might.
Someday.

[Not yet. She's not quite ready yet.]