[River's normally expressive face is oddly passive as Henry explains to him in no uncertain terms, that his life as a psychic was hell. His dark eyes move to the tattoo of 001 on his wrist, the proof of the suffering he's been through. Henry Creel is a living example of what the Esper Collective warns its members would happen if they were taken advantage of by those greedy for their powers.
He thinks of the dark-haired girl who sat by herself in the corner, ignoring him and the others in the facility. He remembers approaching her persistently, always trying to get to know her and reassure her that everything would be alright. One day, for his efforts she pushed him away and pushed him to the floor, angry at the very gall of him trying to understand her pain.
The pain of being used.
The pain of being treated like a dangerous animal, to live in darkness, to think of escape as just a dream.
She was able to escape. She was able to live in the light, but her mind and heart remained in that dark place still.
All he could do was push himself to stand and approach her again.
When Henry withdraws his hand, River is silent for a long discomforting moment. And then he speaks.]
I can't pretend.
[He sets down the deck and takes the card at the top. It's the red "1" again.]
And that's precisely why I told you I've had it easier because I know that I don't know. I only know that you're not the only psychic who's been exploited beyond belief in body and mind. And even when you're able to make it out, you'll be stuck for a long while still.
no subject
He thinks of the dark-haired girl who sat by herself in the corner, ignoring him and the others in the facility. He remembers approaching her persistently, always trying to get to know her and reassure her that everything would be alright. One day, for his efforts she pushed him away and pushed him to the floor, angry at the very gall of him trying to understand her pain.
The pain of being used.
The pain of being treated like a dangerous animal, to live in darkness, to think of escape as just a dream.
She was able to escape. She was able to live in the light, but her mind and heart remained in that dark place still.
All he could do was push himself to stand and approach her again.
When Henry withdraws his hand, River is silent for a long discomforting moment. And then he speaks.]
I can't pretend.
[He sets down the deck and takes the card at the top. It's the red "1" again.]
And that's precisely why I told you I've had it easier because I know that I don't know. I only know that you're not the only psychic who's been exploited beyond belief in body and mind. And even when you're able to make it out, you'll be stuck for a long while still.