Please Don't Misunderstand

Xavi followed Aimouryllice outside, and was really confused for obvious reasons. Aimouryllice said it was about a thing not appropriate to discuss in public but that could be said about a lot of things. Maybe she wanted advice? In that case Xavi would answer honestly and try to give her good directions. Or course with leeway. Xavi's words were by no means absolute.
Xavi paid no mind to their adjoined hands, for he was used to a lot of casual physical contact because of her sister, and their history in Lust Hell. People were touchy-feely there, and you had to get used to a lot of things.

But Xavi did notice that Aimouryllice's hair was getting pretty long, and he wanted to point it out to her. But when Xavi turned to look at Aimouryllice she looked serious, maybe little nervous. Then Xavi picked up on attraction, he couldn't control it. Aimouryllice was feeling attraction towards him, though Xavi was pretty sure it wasn't sexual. He wasn't as good at distinguishing them from each other as Vexi. But Xavi ignored it. He remembered Aimouryllice had felt attraction for him before as well, it was normal. Since he was a lust demon. Just that thought made Xavi a bit depressed, but he pushed it from his mind. He was pretty sure Aimouryllice wasn't one to look at appearance, since it seemed like she considered Xavi ugly. It made him feel somehow better, that someone actually considered him ugly. It was refreshing, very much so.

Eventually Xavi and Aimouryllice reached a more isolated spot and stopped. Xavi just waited patiently, with a small smile on his face. But as Aimouryllice reached out her clasped hands and looked Xavi in the eye, saying something about a Ritual, his confusion grew. Moreover Xavi became self-conscious and wanted to yank his scarf to cover his face. But he fought against the urge, since that would be really rude now. So Xavi also reached out his hand and would take whatever Aimouryllice was offering him.
Xavi listened until the end, and then nodded.
"I'll try to understand with the best of my capabilities. Please do explain what Ritual you are talking about."
Xavi smiled gently and waited.

Xavi took few moments to admire the shell in his hands. It was beautiful, even more beautiful than the sand dollars Xavi had received earlier. Xavi raised gaze to Aimouryllice to ask if this was another object of comfort. But she looked like she was about to say something, so Xavi stayed quiet.
And oh boy, did she say something.
Xavi didn't know if he should've blushed or paled at what Aimouryllice was telling him. Permission to...flirt? Getting to know each other in a romantic sense?
Xavi had received many confessions before, naturally. But none like this. He had to admire the way Aimouryllice approached her attraction, saying it to Xavi outloud and straight. And Xavi was truly honoured that she wanted to actually get to know him. But...
He would have to crush the shell, if Aimouryllice truly demanded it.
Xavi looked down at the shell, and then he looked at Aimouryllice. He smiled a bit, sorrowfully, and closed his fist around the shell.
"I admire the way your people express their attraction Aimouryllice. This is, how do I say it, a really honest, straightforward way. I respect that. But I..."
Xavi felt a jab of guilt, and the smile disappeared.
"I don't...work like that, if I should it some way. I don't 'flirt' or otherwise actively try to get to know people in a romantic sense, because nothing will come of it. Love doesn't come to me like that, it is the way I am. If you should ask my sister this she would keep the shell without second thought. She works like a lust demon, needs before feelings. But I consider you my friend, Aimouryllice, and wish to stay that way. So I won't trample on your feelings, or your people's ways. So if you truly insist, I will crush this shell. But only if we can still remain friends. If we can't I will keep the shell to make it stay that way, and I believe no one will be happy like that."
Xavi smiled at Aimouryllice again, it was a kind and understanding smile.
"But I do not know of the future. No one knows how feeling will progress. So if our friendship truly leads to something more then I will be the one to give you a shell the next time. If it is how this works."

Xavi understood well that people did not enjoy receiving pity. It made them feel weak, and shameful. Xavi understood that. But he was the kind of person to offer his sympathies to others, and tried to be careful not to hurt anyone's feelings.
And when he was struck down it hurt him. But now Xavi didn't matter.
Because Aimouryllice had a point. Xavi had to admit it. But at the same time he felt like he lost a friend. All because of he was a lust demon. Because he was attractive. Xavi felt the self-disgust flare inside himself as he stared first at Aimouryllice and then at the shell.
And he stepped on the shell and crushed it.
Xavi didn't like the feeling of the shell breaking under his foot. It made his self-disgust stick to the edges of his mind even tighter. So he removed his foot quickly and resisted the urge to shake the sensation off.
"You might call it pity but I call it being a friend. You might call them excuses but they are my sincere feelings. Thank you for giving me this opportunity Aimouryllice. And I'm sorry I wasted it."
Xavi smiled gently at Aimouryllice and then he turned to look at the shell he had crushed. It was beautiful, even in pieces.