The Mystic Hearts Series

Chapter 88- Robin

He adds them with flourish, & when our cake is done, it turns out well. Surprisingly moist & springy, not even burnt on the bottom, unlike other groups'. I look over at Helios from my paper plate of cake, plastic spork in hand.

"This is good!" I smile slightly.

He smirks, taking a big bite & talking between mouthfuls, amusingly. "You say that like you're surprised..."

"I-I'm not..." I look away quickly. I'm a terrible liar.

He grins slightly. "Yeah, right... 'S ok, I'm used to it..."

I raise my eyebrows at him. "'Used to' what?"

He looks away, out the window past me. "Mm- just- everyone just assumes things about me... just because I look this way... just because of what I am..."

I squint at him. "What you are?"
He looks down at my shoes. "You don't have to be coy. Fire elves don't move to this town often &... with my red skin... I stand out like a... big stop sign or something... Not to mention the stereotype that we're just all fiery & angry all the time..."

My eyes widen slightly, & I raise my arms in surrender, neglecting my cake. "No, this isn't about you being a fire elf, no..."

He looks up at me suddenly, seeming more sad than anything. "Then why is everyone so afraid of me, hm?"

I back up a little bit & he flinches, turning away, already starting to put away the baking supplies. "I- it's because you are so quiet..."

He smiles sadly, back to me. "Yes, but would they do that to an earth elf? Or a human? They're more prone to label me as scary, & much more quickly... & maybe me dressing this way is just me accepting the reality of the society around me... Trying to find some way of reclaiming my identity... But, hey, it's ok. You don't have to be ashamed that you're scared too- everyone else already is, so don't worry about it..."

Oof :/