[It's easy enough to act like the scars don't bother him. He already spends so much of his time hiding behind one mask or another. What he cannot tolerate is pity. Weak things deserve pity. Fragile, helpless things deserve pity. A king cannot afford to be any of those things.
So he smiles at Konoha.]
They don't hurt anymore. It's all right.
[Each time the monster awakens, the scars sting and his skin is torn anew. But at present, all he feels is the warmth of Konoha's hands and the subtle thrum of manna. He appreciates the cover she provides, though in the back his mind he wonders if she simply prefers not to look at the rather unpleasant sight of his hand.
All too ready to turn the conversation in a different direction, Nikolai starts up:]
You mentioned your family before. Will you tell me about them?
[He asks as a way to reassure her that, no matter the wild adventures he's experienced, her life is not boring to him. Everyone likes to feel that their stories matter.]
no subject
So he smiles at Konoha.]
They don't hurt anymore. It's all right.
[Each time the monster awakens, the scars sting and his skin is torn anew. But at present, all he feels is the warmth of Konoha's hands and the subtle thrum of manna. He appreciates the cover she provides, though in the back his mind he wonders if she simply prefers not to look at the rather unpleasant sight of his hand.
All too ready to turn the conversation in a different direction, Nikolai starts up:]
You mentioned your family before. Will you tell me about them?
[He asks as a way to reassure her that, no matter the wild adventures he's experienced, her life is not boring to him. Everyone likes to feel that their stories matter.]