[In Hayame's world... reputation was character, in a way. The tightly-bound society from which she had come put so much emphasis on one's honor before everything else, and that honor was formed in part by what was said about a person and their nature. Duels and wars had been fought for centuries over insulted pride and insinuations of dishonorable conduct, and yet she... She is supposed to just swallow poor treatment at the hands of her fellow so-called allies, to turn a deaf ear to slander, to let others belittle her accomplishments or fail to note them entirely--
At least, that is how it feels to her. A woman who, in her own life, had owned nothing- not her own body, not even her own actions. The only thing she'd had was reputation, tainted as it was.
And yet, Liem places another hand on hers. So easily. Just as simply, he provides the praise and validation she has largely gone without, and in the face of it... Hayame is shamed. Her cheeks grow warm as she lays there in silence, and finally... she has to turn her face away, mumbling under her breath,]
At least you seem to have clear eyes.
[She had imagined, once, that doing those sorts of things would be enough. That to be accepted among allies, to have allies, would mean simply succeeding to earn their regard. She had done great deeds, she had served loyally... and yet, through their touch, and the connection born of the cleansing... there is a hint of the deep, twisted sense of persecution she feels.
But that wasn't- This wasn't what she had intended when she had taken Liem's hand. It was supposed to be...]
- Are you feeling better?
[Her fingers spasm between his. They're slightly sweaty.]
no subject
At least, that is how it feels to her. A woman who, in her own life, had owned nothing- not her own body, not even her own actions. The only thing she'd had was reputation, tainted as it was.
And yet, Liem places another hand on hers. So easily. Just as simply, he provides the praise and validation she has largely gone without, and in the face of it... Hayame is shamed. Her cheeks grow warm as she lays there in silence, and finally... she has to turn her face away, mumbling under her breath,]
At least you seem to have clear eyes.
[She had imagined, once, that doing those sorts of things would be enough. That to be accepted among allies, to have allies, would mean simply succeeding to earn their regard. She had done great deeds, she had served loyally... and yet, through their touch, and the connection born of the cleansing... there is a hint of the deep, twisted sense of persecution she feels.
But that wasn't- This wasn't what she had intended when she had taken Liem's hand. It was supposed to be...]
- Are you feeling better?
[Her fingers spasm between his. They're slightly sweaty.]