"Hey- hey, are you still there?" You whispered, knocking on the wall, listening for any sounds of movements. The cell next to yours has recently been occupied. You'd seen the teal eyed boy when he was led in. Pretty teal horns, a long tail. He looked like you.

Every single day since then, you'd been trying to reach out. To get a response from him. He's probably shy, you'd decided, undeterred. Desperate to make a connection with him.

"Did you eat dinner today? I don't really like the meat. Do you want it?" You slide your tray out, using your tail to push it toward his cell.

Dan Heng had long since realised the truth of why these people were treating him the way they were. Resentment building in his chest toward a man he never met. A man they claimed he was. Vague memories giving into nightmares. Sleepless nights upon sleepless nights. But you... you were innocent. A person who shared his fate. The company he'd prayed to the Aeons for when he was younger.

The problem was that he didn't know how to approach your kindness. The books he'd read never giving him much help. The first time he'd seen you, he was in awe. The prettiest thing he'd laid his eyes on. The girl who looked like him with the pretty voice and bright eyes. The owner of the tail that incessantly thumped against the floor. Why were you so always so happy? Why were you the only person to direct that happiness at him?

Pondering did him no good. Neither did ignoring your advances. Perhaps it was time he finally gave in and accepted that he was not alone.