[open] You say it best when you say nothing at all; any

[Persea]

All of the voices inside of my mind will never be silenced

It’s such a rare treat, to find someone so genuinely good, that she cannot help but marvel at the unfeigned honesty and kindness in his thoughts. Though her body heats with embarrassment, it’s impossible to mistake the belief he has in his own words. Of course, she had long ago learned that everyone tends to see the world differently through their uniquely colored lenses, but to him, it truly felt as though perhaps her skin didn’t matter.

Perhaps she is not yet quite ready to accept the changes in full, but his kind affirmations bring her one step in the right direction. Through his eyes, she begins to see herself behind the dark teal and seafoam. Sees the way the rainbow shimmer of the smooth, pearly markings matches the way white had once laced across her body. Underneath the glamour, she is still Persea. Still herself.

She supposes that’s all that should truly matter.

Perhaps one day she would even believe it.

“You are much too kind Olver,” she whispers abashedly, though a thread of pleasure trails through. Hearing his thoughts, she discovers how much more delightful it is to have one believe her personality more beautiful than her exterior. It is easy to feel as though those who call her beautiful are not truly complimenting her, but this shell she had not asked for. A piece of her that is not truly her. But to hear his assertion that it is not her face that makes her lovely sends a thrill of unfamiliar delight through her.

“I suppose you do have a point,” she finally agrees, eyes lifting to his as a small grin of consternation touches her lips. “Sometimes I feel like no one ever really sees beyond the surface.” She pauses then, her bright, sea-green eyes focusing more intently on him. “But you do.” She reaches out to touch him lightly, unable to help herself. “Thank you for that.”

until I can find a way to let go of what we left behind

persea