That. That hadn’t been what Slade was expecting. Which was good, in at least one sense, as the thing that was bugging Jinny was something that Slade could answer and explain. It just sucked because it wasn’t an easy thing to talk about for him. “It’s likely a mix of things, but you are right that people can tell when there is something… different about us.” He would start leaning forward as he spoke.

“It is something that you can learn to hide, but as you already have found out its not exactly an easy skill to learn. And there will always be some people that can sense it. The only way to completely get rid of it would be to forget completely.” A solution that, in Slade’s honest opinion, was worse then living though the events that changed them into who they were.

“But that doesn’t mean you will always be alone.” He would continue on without waiting. “Even discounting me” Since Slade was sure he would live at least another hundred years “Just as there will always be people who can pick out the differences, there will be people that aren’t phased by them. The underworld is filled with people like us, for example, most of them won’t care.”

And he could stop there, it was an uplifting message to give. That there was always going to be people out there that could care for her. That she could hold close.

And it was true.

But. 

“That doesn’t mean it’s going to be easy or safe.” He let out a bitter chuckle and let his gaze drift away from Jinny. “Before. I had three people I would gladly call friends. Your mother was one of them. Now I have one and even then, it has been a few years since me and Wintergreen have talked.” He let out a sigh, he really should get in contact with the old bastard. “But even before then I had a family. I don’t really need to explain what happened to most of them however. My Ex-wife is still alive though. She hates me though. Gave me a parting gift before she left.” He would say sardonically, tapping his eye patch. He didn’t blame her though, because she was right.

“So, as you can see, I wasn’t always alone. Thus, there is no reason for you to be.” But he had spent a large part of his life alone. And those he considered close never numbered very high. “Besides, things are different. Places like H.I.V.E. are new, a school for kids like you to learn how to do what I do is interesting.” He would add with a shrug “They likely won’t care about the rabbits either”