[spoiler]Oh no! Here comes the sadness thought rant![/spoiler] *He silently led her in the direction of the apartment complex. He didn't even have to confidence to look up and nearly bumped into a couple of trees.* *Thinking [u][b]Say something. Please... I need to know... *Mentally sighing* I'm not human... People think I'm an animal... Sketch and Leyla... That's a one time thing... People can't see past my appearance... Back on Sphirinia they all just assumed I didn't like to talk... I just turned into a piece of furniture... Here, people think I'm a dog... They call me a dog... People are always looking at me as a child too... Does she think I'm just some sort of child? When they're upset you kiss them on the cheek to make them feel better? Or that since I I look like an animal I shouldn't be taken seriously? That I am just an animal, no thoughts of my own? I'm no child and I'm no animal... I deserve to know. I need to at least know why...[/b][/u] *He doesn't realize he's walked about three laps around the Dojo by now. Tears forming in his eyes and forgetting that she's still with him.*

[b]Chloe grew confused not really sure what was happening... [/b] [i]"Where did you say we were going?"[/i] [b]She asked, eventually recognizing landmarks as they continued to pass them in circles.[/b] [i]"This seems familiar..."[/i]

*He stops, looking up at her. There were streaks where the fur had been matted down by the tears. He was able to somewhat level his voice.* [u][b]Sorry... I was thinking... It's this way...[/b][/u] *He continues walking, looking down again sadly as the complex crept into view.*

[b]She shrugged and followed, a sigh escaping her. He'd have to learn. Better to end it sooner instead of leading him on...[/b] [b]She continued in silence, following aimlessly, as she stayed hidden under the veil.[/b]

*They eventually reach the apartments. He opens the door for her and follows her in. He leads her up a couple flights of stairs and opens the door to his apartment. He once again follows her in, motioning for her to sit on a couch.* [u][b]A-Are you hungry? Would y-you like s-something to e-eat?[/b][/u] *He knew this was all just ridiculous. Crying over a girl he's known for only about eight hours. No wonder he's always being treated like a child. He will respect what she wants, he's the one making it such a big thing.*

[i]"I'm fine..."[/i] [b]She remarked, taking the seat and lifting the veil until she was visible once more. Her face was somber and silent, like the current mood had her anxious.[/b]

*He sits down in a chair across from her. His arms are crossed and he looks at his feet but he doesn't stutter.* [u][b]I... I'm sorry. Getting this upset about you... We've just met... I'm sorry... But, I'd just like to know why... Is there any reason other than the fact that we just met? I'm sure I'm just being an a$$hole by getting worked up about this... I'll respect what you want. I don't want my own immaturity and stupidity to be a burden on you...[/b][/u]

[i]"It's just clear that what we want are two very different things... I barely know you, and I'm really not after romance..."[/i] [b]She gave a sympathetic smile, her eyes still warm despite how strange the situation was.[/b] [i]"I ran from my home for this exact reason... I want to be free... I want to explore and roam."[/i]

*He nods, looking down. The fact that she used them being so different as a reason hitting him the hardest.* [u][b]I... I understand... People only see me as a wolf, not a person... I'm too different...[/b][/u] *He looks down, shaking his head.* [u][b]I know people just can't see me as anything other than an animal... God, I'm bringing racism into this?! I'm being such an a$$! I'm guilt tripping you without even meaning to! [/b][/u] *He buries his head in his hands, getting more upset with himself now than he is about her.* [u][b]Just... Tell me what your world was like... Why you needed to be [i]free...[/i][/b][/u]

[b]She narrowed her eyes at him... Clearly something striking some kind of nerve.[/b] [i]"I meant goals. Our goals are different... I don't really care what you are..."[/i] [b]She runs a few fingers over the crest on her forehead, the gold piece jingling slightly.[/b] [i]"But, if you must know, my old life was pampered and rich. I was catered to, watched over, adored, and the heir to my own citadel... But I was always forced to be a politician, proper, to be someone who I was not... I rebelled, and as punishment I was almost forced into a marriage. So I ran away... Now I'm free to do what I please."[/i]

*He looks up at her.* [b][u]S-Sorry... I just upset and I've come to expect people thinking of me as an animal... You know, I'm sort of here for the same reason... My parents were scientists. And all the scientists in our species work for the military. My parents were quite famous for their work... And the way the military works is that all members need combat training, even scientists. And so, they were promoted straight from the greatest Sphirinian scientists to third in command of the Sphirnian fleet... Sketch, my little brother, had been gone for a couple months before that happened and they immediately started to lose it... They became unreasonable, unfair. They didn't make decisions based on logic anymore. Before I knew it, I was fourth in command of the Sphirinian fleet. And I had just joined the fleet and had no combat training at all. They promoted me for being their son and got away with it too. People turned to me, to try and oppose them. I'm no leader and I had at least a million Sphirinians under my command. I didn't know anything about tactics, diplomacy, or anything like that! It was too much! People died because I didn't know what I was doing. So I got a friend to steal a slip drive and had myself transported to this area on this planet in this dimension... I understand completely... Wanting to run from supposedly [i]having it all......... And I'm sorry for upsetting you, or offending you, or being rude, or just generally being a pain. I'll go ahead and say I'm terrible with people...[/i][/u][/b] *He looks down.*

[i]"Confidence."[/i] [b]She said simply, knowing she was in no position to talk about such a thing... But she was still adept enough to see when someone else lacked it as well.[/b] [i]"I think I'll give you some time... Time to think. I'll be around for some time... I can promise you that... I don't know how long, but I think it best if you think some things through for awhile."[/i] [b]She stood, an arm outstretching before landing gently on his shoulder.[/b] [i]"Until then, I wish you the best."[/i]

[u][b]Y-Yeah... I'm so s-sorry about all o-of this... You haven't o-objected to m-me calling m-myself an a$$ so th-that just confirms it. I'll l-leave you a-alone... If I-I see you a-again I'll o-only talk if you a-approach... You shouldn't h-have to deal with a-a child...[/b][/u] *His stutter comes back once more and he puts his head in his hands again.*