That was a fair assessment; Cinder had been through far too much to be considered a child in some ways. In other ways, though, she still was. Sheād lost the innocence of a child, and that wasnāt something she could get back, at least not entirely. But there were still other ways she could retain that innocence, even if it was only in small bits.
āWell, there are likely still ways you canā¦ perhaps regain some of that innocence. Not sure how yet, butā¦ Iām sure youāll find some of it.ā Maybe not the innocence of a child, but at least some of the innocence of being a teenager. Sheād have a chance to enjoy life as a child for a little bit, at least until she was a Huntress officially.
āAs for peopleā¦ itās complicated because people themselves are complicated. If people were simple, weād be nothing more than sheep. Everyone would do the same thing, agree on everything, probably like all the same things, too. People are going to share opinions here and there, but that complication is what makes peopleā¦ unique.ā Even just between the two of them, there were things that were different.
āFor example, I might like one food, but you might hate the taste of it, even if youāll eat it. You may not like sleeping outside, but I might enjoy it for other reasons. You, obviously, like the colour red; Iām more inclined to wear purples, or greens. Sure, itās small things, but those are things unique to each of us.ā
Just then, they reached the gate of the town, and Salem gave Cinder a warm smile. āCome. Letās get to the inn, and if youād like, you can relax, take a shower, a warm bath, whatever you like while I get us something good to eat. Sound good?ā Hopefully the girl would be fine alone in the room for a little while, at least until she returned.
All in all, Salemās positive response lighted Cinder up a little, because maybe she was right, or at least, the girl wanted the older woman to be right on that she will still be able to enjoy some innocent in what was left of her teenage years.
It still didnāt sit right with her that humans were just so complicated, mainly because at the moment, it made her feel a little stressed, but at the same time, she could admit that itās what made people the more interesting.
She didnāt want to be a machine.
āI want to be...unique.ā She muttered to herself, looking at the distance and the gate of town they were approaching.Ā āIāve always been treated like cattle so I just want to be...myself, now.ā Or at least find who she was.
āYou are right, I wouldnāt like being like everyone else. I like being me and having my own...opinions.ā Even if that was somewhat new to her. To think. To have opinions...to be free without restraint.
Now that the both of them were so close to the townās gate, Cinder let both of her hands rest inside the pockets of the jacket, before looking up at Salem with a smile of her own.
āThat sounds perfect to me.ā How long has it been since she has had the chance to take a shower or feel clean so properly? Something so simple made her excited, even.
