#muses getting to learn gundhams tragic backstory is like Catnip to me lol

[the-ultimate-muses]

The breeder was distant, eyes trained to the floor as his icy hand was taken into Sonia's own. He had a high pain tolerance, sure (he had to), but Gundham gave not a single twitch as his knuckles were cleaned. "No, I..." He...probably shouldn't say he can't even feel it... "It does not hurt."

A deep swallow followed a shaky breath, Gundham still unmoving despite her request. "It is not a matter of desire, but necessity. Someone aside from my mother and I should know, should the worst come." What the 'worst' was exactly wasn't said, there being far too many answers to its identity. "I am telling you now, I have made peace with this. My father is vile and cruel, however I am not the child he remembers me to be." Small and scared, yet trying to protect his mother with hands too small to cause any pain. "He...was here, had been waiting by my car. He wanted money, said my mother and I owed him for disappearing all those years ago, and I refused. A sort brawl ensued, however when he...when he slammed me against my car, its alarm began to sound, causing him to flee. After I caught my breath, I...ended up here. I cannot recall even standing from the ground, let alone walking through these halls...

"As for my hesitation towards your care, I simply...this wasn't a memory I wanted to share with you, simply from how it tends to affect others. However I...I do wish for you to know. Though, it has been some time, since I last spoke of this..." Eyes darting to Sonia for a moment, Gundham stood after removing his coat and scarf, his shirt being painfully lifted over his head as his back was turned towards her. There were many, many scars; some of which had obvious causes, with others being more difficult to discern. Most were from animals he'd cared for over the years, but upon closer inspection, there were many that were far too scattered, similar in size and depth, yet having no clear pattern where they underlied the others.

They were whipping scars.

"He...used a belt. I had dropped a glass of water, or so my mother has told me. It was the final transgression she would allow, our belongings being packed into just two suitcases before we fled in her car. We were always moving after that, or so it felt. I wonder now if it truly was because my mother was seeking better work, or if she was afraid that if we lingered, he would find us.

"I was only five, and that car would serve as our home for another six or so years. You...can discern why this isn't a tale oft told..." He didn't fear pitty, as much as it tended to irk him, but he simply didn't want to make Sonia upset, yet another person tainted by the demon. "I'm sorry that you must learn of it a whole, let alone like this. But as I said, I have made peace with it." Had he really? It...was difficult to tell at times...

Any further protest, he knew, would do no good, Gundham well aware of how stubborn Sonia was once she set her mind to something. Of course, he could break away from her easily, Sonia was strong in her own right, but Gundham had the advantage of size on his side. Part of him wanted to do just that, but another knew it would be too much of a reaction, that such a thing would garner more suspicion and worry than if he were to just go along without fuss. Besides, if he refused her help so intensely, it would no doubt make Sonia upset, maybe even feel like he didn't trust her, as was the case with most people. Sonia was different, and the fact that he went with her willingly after that first protest died as it hit the air showed as much.

Despite how numb his body felt, Gundham could tell he was shaking, the leftover emotions from his altercation, and now this starting to make themselves known. He was in this now, so he might as well keep compliant, get it over with as soon as possible. Maybe she wouldn't notice, if he did.

"The...the blood is not mine, I am almost certain." No he wasn't, still unable to feel most of his injuries, and having been unable to really take stock of them after they were acquired. "Other than my hands, that is." Or, more accuratly, his knuckles; the fair skin broken and bruised, with his left having gone unbandaged that day. He'd had a good streak going, not having to bind it. So much for that now...

"It is mostly bruising. But..." A pause as eyes that had been flickering about the room finally landed on Sonia and the pure worry on her face. It struck something in him, leaving a breath to catch in his lungs before taking a long, deep breath. Hiding it was pointless, if she didn't learn of it now, she would no doubt sometime in the future. It was best to get past it while these volitile emotions were already being felt.

"I believe...the worst of it is across my torso, or rather my back. I'm unsure, but...I...there is...something you should know, before tending to them..." It wasn't the first time she'd seen him without a shirt, he was sure, but as far as he knew, it was the first time she would be looking so closely, enough that she might realize...not all his scars could be blamed on his animals. Hell, maybe she already knew, she wasn't stupid, the story of how Grizner had marred his back believable sure, but there was no doubt someone would eventually see through the ruse. If anyone could, it was Sonia, he was sure of it.

"...How much have I told you of my father?"