[It works: Whatever planned coordinated attack the bully had planned, Aerith manages to wedge herself in before it can escalate too far. With their easy target blocked from them, several village children start murmuring in apprehension and fear and even begin to back away. A small hand presses to her back, clenches the fabric, and then withdraws.]
Why are you being nice to me? You shouldn't... [The little girl's eye is sticky with blood. Her voice drops lower.] I don't deserve it. It doesn't matter.
[Scorn and paranoia fuel this small village; no, it really seems that respect for anyone who doesn't belong in the closed community isn't a commodity that's valued by anyone who lives in this fearful place. And though he isn't used to being stood up to by anyone, adult or child, the stalled surprise lasts only a little while until she becomes the sponge soaking up his hatred.
"Why don't you just get out then? We don't want you here either, you nosy bitch! It's none of your business how we handle freaks!"
Aerith can either clean up the other bullies and shoo them on their way and watch the interaction between the young girl and elderly woman play out, or she can speak with the girl herself for a while while Grandma is dealing with some of the kids.]
it feels so extremely sacrilegious to call aerith a bitch that typing it hurts
Why are you being nice to me? You shouldn't... [The little girl's eye is sticky with blood. Her voice drops lower.] I don't deserve it. It doesn't matter.
[Scorn and paranoia fuel this small village; no, it really seems that respect for anyone who doesn't belong in the closed community isn't a commodity that's valued by anyone who lives in this fearful place. And though he isn't used to being stood up to by anyone, adult or child, the stalled surprise lasts only a little while until she becomes the sponge soaking up his hatred.
"Why don't you just get out then? We don't want you here either, you nosy bitch! It's none of your business how we handle freaks!"
It's Dimo's turn to get hit with a flying pebble, out of nowhere. An absolutely ancient woman pants to catch her breath nearby before shouting into the already dispersing crowd of children. Hurts like a bitch, don't it!? If any of
you little bastards ever touch my Kainé again, I'll do far worse than throw a rock!"
Aerith can either clean up the other bullies and shoo them on their way and watch the interaction between the young girl and elderly woman play out, or she can speak with the girl herself for a while while Grandma is dealing with some of the kids.]