CO   you are...

CO   reluctant, to bond with me.

Their face is contorted in confusion. Even still, it has that ethereal, disturbing neutrality to it. You're so distracted by it, you almost forget to respond.

BR   What does that mean

BR   Where is this coming from?

CO   i have observed this, thusly.

BR   Oh, right

BR   Always the observer o_o

CO   yes.

CO   you are particularly reticent around myself, while you are more neutral around others.

CO   some, you even exhibit a level of fondness.

CO   it makes your treatment towards myself all the more apparent.

CO   i feared it was just my imagination, so i must know for myself.

You didn't anticipate Corona being the confrontational type. If they were someone you had a modicum of respect for, perhaps you would let them down gently. Instead, you look them in the eyes and speak forthright.

BR   You're right

BR   I don't like you, Corona

BR   And I don't feel compelled to do any 'bonding' with someone like you

BR   Even speaking with you now, like this, is deeply unpleasant

BR   I would prefer almost anyone else

Rather than backing off, they nod, as if committing the information to memory.

CO   mm hm.

CO   thank you for your honesty.

CO   but yet...

They sigh, as if this was an insurmountable mountain they had no choice but to climb.

CO   i was hoping that i had been errant in my assumptions.

CO   what a shame.

BR   Sorry to hear that

You aren't. Not in the least.

BR   Regardless

BR   It's hardly my problem

BR   Especially with the priorities we have to juggle here

BR   Ones unrelated to 'friendship' and 'bonds'

BR   So, if that's all you needed from me, then

BR   Could you move out of my way

BR   It's late, and I'd like to go to bed

When they don't oblige, you step around them. You're not going to humor the rest of the conversation, especially if it's about something as meaningless as their strange goals.

You're about a few feet away, just inches from your door, when you hear them speak up again.

CO   i just dont understand...

CO   out of everyone here, i thought you would be the most agreeable.

A genuine, melancholy tone that makes your shoulders tense.

BR   Oh

BR   You did

Anger seeps out before you can stop it.

BR   I'm sorry for not being rendered utterly passive by your presence

When you turn to face them again, they're chuckling and shaking their head.

CO   mm.

CO   no, thats not what i mean.

BR   Are you sure

BR   Your personality is perfectly suited towards fanaticism

BR   Always desperate for recognition, for whatever reason

CO   hm.

CO   hm hm.

CO   no, you must have misunderstood me.

CO   i dont expect something like that from anyone.

CO   that would be nothing more than blind worship, dont you think?

Their arms wrap around their torso. There's a bitterness in their voice.

CO   no, a bond like that would have no value to me.

CO   it would only set everything back.

CO   nothing like that remains.

CO   ...

CO   nevertheless.

As if remembering you're there, they nod and clear their throat.

CO   i apologize if my assumptions came off as condescending.

CO   its merely... how do i put it?

CO   you and i, we are kindred souls.

Disgust breaches your expression first.

CO   please, let me explain.

CO   i see much of myself in you.

CO   even the way others speak of you is not unlike how they refer to myself.

CO   surely, you have noticed as well? you are quite perceptive.

BR   No

BR   That can't be right

BR   How could you - how could you even begin to compare -

CO   i dont mean to draw comparison to demean you, nor uplift myself.

CO   i mean this in both positive and negative terms. wholly encapsulating.

CO   please, take heed in my intentions.

They put their hands up defensively.

CO   its merely... an observation ive made.

CO   and the more ive pondered on it...

CO   hm hm.

BR   What

BR   What is so amusing to you?

CO   it is refreshing, in a way.

CO   i know i am strange to you all.

CO   yet many people are, arent they?

CO   it is human. our strangeness unites us.

CO   you and i, particularly.

They smile. You don’t think anyone smiles as much as they do. It unnerves you to think that you’re more familiar with it than you realize.

CO   like me, you are cerebral.

CO   you are enraptured by the bounty of the worlds knowledge.

CO   it is only due to your curiosity that youre patient enough to hear my explanation, after all.

CO   isnt that right?

CO   i have yet to earn your affection, yet it is unmistakable.

CO   you wish to know me as well.

CO   evaluate me, come to a conclusion based off of your observations.

CO   i am a mystery. and you cannot allow one to remain unsolved.

You frown. It’s true, but they could describe the thread count of your jacket and it would sound off-putting.

Your silence, rather than your outward denial, seems to please them.

CO   hm hm.

CO   i think that is it.

CO   i think its only natural i would be drawn to you.

CO   you. especially you.

They step towards you.

CO   it is comforting, to find yourself in someone else.

CO   as if we were created with the same purpose.

CO   to be the same.

CO   from world old, to a world anew.

CO   with color borrowed, with color blue.

You refuse to move. Not even as they get closer.

CO   tell me you feel the same.

CO   it would... bring no greater relief,

CO   to know that i am understood by another soul.

If you were malicious, you could describe their expression as creepy, obsessive. If you were more charitable, you may have ascribed some warmth in that smile of theirs. Some humanity bobbing upwards in the murky depths.

However, if there is any, it’s flickering like a flame you can barely make out. A flame surrounded by nothing but black sea. To be drawn to it would be unwise.

BR   We are similar

BR   I can admit that much

If you look into those eyes, you wonder if you can see a person trapped deep inside.

BR   But we are not the same

You step past them, towards your room. You expeditiously enter your code and swing the door open, fully prepared to slam it in their face if they dared to follow you inside. Violence outside of trials is prohibited, but you're willing to claim self-defense in this instance.

CO   bridgette de los santos.

You can hear their smile behind you, from the same place where they were standing. But there is no discernable warmth, not anymore.

CO   im sorry for keeping you.

CO   i look forward to another day here.

CO   good night.

BR   ...

You close the door without looking back.