"Oh--Oh Ryo. We're not your village, no one cares if you have a twin or not. I mean, that came out wrong. I meant that we don't care about that superstition. We aren't blaming you for anything."

Persephone breathes out and twists at her hoodie with her free hand. Right here we go.

"So here's the thing. It both is and isn't a choice. When you are kind, there isn't room in anyone else's view of you to be something else. You're kind, you're sweet, you're a bundle of sunshine and flowers. I'm not. I have thorns, I get angry and upset and my powers flare up. I mean, you saw that."

Deep breath, "And I've... I've killed people and I have to fight that feeling more than I like, that wrath and more, to stop myself from losing control like that. I'm not perfect."

She reaches out to clasp his hand, "But look, you did nothing. They shunned you for nothing, for your birth, and you didn't deserve it. You're here, doing your best to help everyone around you. You're just as important as anyone else. I did a big flashy thing, you did lots of small meaningful things. Food at the camp, tea in the spa, always helping."