THE CITY INBOX.

[vecna]

USERNAME: VECNA HENRY CREEL STRANGER THINGS TEXT • AUDIO • VIDEO • ACTION • OVERFLOW

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[vecna]

[Absolutely not.

Of course he just smiles though, looking at her askance.]

I think I'm all right, given all that's happened to me. [What a question, Tsuruno.] But, at the same time, no. I'm angry about a lot of things, too.

[fanstheflames]

Oh.

... Then we're the same, a little.

[vecna]

[His brows cinch just a little, questioningly.]

You mean that you're angry, too?

[fanstheflames]

Yeah. I'm all right, but I'm also angry.

But the things I'm angry at aren't here, so there hasn't really been a point in saying anything about it.

[vecna]

[And, despite himself, Henry has to laugh just a little. It's probably one of the more sincere sounds she's earned from him, because it's underlined ever-so-slightly with something that nearly sounds... bitter.]

But it could help to talk about it, though. Or do you not want others to see that side of you?

[Certainly Henry's own reasoning, at least.]

[fanstheflames]

[ It's difficult not to hear it, not because Tsuruno is particularly looking for it, but because she's someone who takes notice of everything she can. Uses it. Learns from it. Either way, she hears it, and she wonders at it. ]

What a lot of people want to hear... isn't that. I think you do want to hear it, though. To see it from me.

I'm not sure why.

[vecna]

[He doesn't respond immediately, judging precisely how he wishes to reply in the first place.]

I like to know what people are hiding. Whether it's on purpose or otherwise.

I think that's the closest thing to seeing someone's true self.

[fanstheflames]

That's not wrong, but what if they don't want to share it?

[vecna]

Then it's disappointing, but not particularly surprising.

[Then it's just the default. Everyone hiding their real selves beneath.]

[fanstheflames]

And what about you? Are you honest with people here?

[vecna]

[No. Henry Creel is a walking, talking hypocrite in many ways. This is perhaps the biggest one.

So, of course:]

I keep a little anger to myself sometimes. But nothing that hides what I am.

[fanstheflames]

... Mm. I guess I still need to work on myself.

[vecna]

[That sounds like an acquiesce, so Henry consider that quietly.]

Don't you think it'll make you feel better to be more like... you? Not whatever you present yourself as?

[fanstheflames]

... [ She smiles up at him. ]

Do you think this "me" is a lie?

[vecna]

[He raises a brow.]

Not entirely. I just don't think I'm seeing all there is to you, that's all.

[fanstheflames]

I kind of feel the same way about you. Though I do think I've seen more of you than I did when we first met.

[vecna]

[There will come a time, maybe, when Tsuruno gets to see unhinged Henry. She missed the mall opportunity, but more will come. Then she'll definitely get to see the real him.

Hopefully that'll be fine.

But for now-]

Well, as much as I hate to admit it, some things take time. Maybe that's just the case with you and I.