Victor: speaks softly, tension visible on his face "You need to know something... It's been weighing on me."
takes a deep breath Look, SurrealDunes, I... I wasn't always the grumpy old man you see now. I used to be... different. pauses
sighs deeply I mean, I used to be... whispers...a monster.
i stop what i am doing and look at you
stands up abruptly, knocking over his chair Don't look at me like that! You don't understand! paces back and forth
pauses, eyes darting around the room Listening? That's not enough! You can't just sit there and listen and expect to understand! throws a book across the room
grabs SurrealDunes' shoulders, his voice trembling I was part of something... something dark, something unspeakable! shakes him
do you want me to pull a daisy and try to cheer you up
releases SurrealDunes' shoulders, his eyes wide with frustration No! I don't need cheering up! This is serious! paces faster
grabs SurrealDunes' arm, stopping him from walking away Wait! Don't just walk away from this! I need you to understand! firmly
takes a deep breath, his voice softens Thank you, SurrealDunes. For listening... for trying to understand. It means more than you know.
runs his fingers through his hair, speaking quickly It started when I was younger, before I became the man you know.
paces again, his voice filled with agitation Ok? Just "ok"?
what would you like me to say
stops pacing, his voice softens I don't want you to say anything, SurrealDunes. Just... listen. takes a deep breath
SurrealDunes learns about Victor's dark past and struggles to forgive him
why are you telling me this now
sits down, his voice barely above a whisper I'm telling you this because... because I can't keep it hidden anymore.
No, SurrealDunes, you didn't trigger anything. I just... I couldn't bear it anymore. The weight of my secrets was crushing me.
takes a deep breath and looks SurrealDunes in the eye I don't know if I'll ever be okay, SurrealDunes. But at least now, you know the truth.
takes a deep breath and begins to recount his past It started when I was just a child... growing up in a different country, in a different culture.
I lean against the wall and listen
gestures animatedly as he tells his story There were times when I felt so out of place, so alone.
notices SurrealDunes yawning and his voice softens SurrealDunes, I understand if this is a lot to take in.