Private Finished Unlucky timing

This man was persistent, and even tried to...console Carcass. This made her feel even more suspicious. Was this person one of those? An individual who felt like they had to help everyone so they could feel better about themselves, or someone who felt it was their "duty" to help others? Both options made Carcass feel like she was right to not trust others. It was impossible for people to do anything without selfish motivations. No matter what their species was.

"I shall not. Farewell."
Carcass turned again and began to float away. Perhaps agreeing with the man would make him think he had succeeded in his mission to make Carcass "feel better", or whatever people like him told themselves. In the end it was the truth that Carcass didn't matter to him, not in the long run. If she gave him what she wanted she could just become one more name in his list of people he had helped.

The man was self-aware about his motivations, or at least that was the impression Carcass got from his words. He also seemed to be in a hurry, he really didn't want Carcass to leave. Why on earth? They would both be better off just forgetting this interaction, it would put less burden on both Carcass' and this man's life.
But the words, as the man probably wished, made Carcass pause. She rarely had any kind of social interaction, or at least the matter had been so in her old life. Master had told Carcass to familiarize herself with the island, maybe meet some people.

Would this man do? His song had made Carcass cry, he had asked about her native tongue, he was trying to affect Carcass' feelings and was succeeding. It was all infuriating, but...Carcass was slowly getting tired of killing all her feelings. She didn't, and wouldn't, trust this man, but if he kept his distance like this then Carcass could keep herself under control, show minimal emotion, and perhaps gain some release. Carcass had been used for her entire life.
Maybe it was about time she used someone else to get what she wanted.

The man had a name now, he was Stefan. He offered Carcass words that were probably supposed to prove that he was relatable, or trustworthy. Carcass had long since stopped believing in words. They meant nothing without actions.
But...sharing her name wouldn't hurt Carcass.

"I go by the name Carcass."
was all she said, and Carcass expected Stefan to react with shock or disdain, like the woman from the community center. Carcass took pleasure in how both her appearance and name could drive people away. Because her name was what she was, after all. Just a dead corpse.

Stefan treated it like Carcass telling him her name was a victory, or an achievement, and Carcass didn't like that. It made her feel like she was just amusement for this man, a puzzle that the man was solving and every word or piece of information he got out of Carcass was a prize that he could pat himself on the back with. Carcass didn't let her displeasure show though, merely tilted her head slightly as she said with a steady voice
"Please do not patronize me. I find it demeaning."
Though after saying that Carcass was slightly surprised at herself, she had expressed her opinion. She often found that hard. Perhaps this island was rubbing off on her. Or this man was just that infuriating.

"I do not wish to share any more personal information. So you do not have a reason to talk to me anymore. Farewell."
This was the third time Carcass was saying farewell, and even she was starting to feel frustrated by how Stefan kept stopping her. It wasn't like he wouldn't be able to follow her, why did he insist on standing here in front of a children's playground? The pair was starting to attract some looks and even Carcass, no matter how indifferent she was to people's opinions, was starting to feel uncomfortable. So, she started to float away again. Master wouldn't look good if their ward was reported for suspicious activity.

For a moment Carcass thought that Stefan had finally decided to give up, as he should, but instead he soon appeared next to her. Carcass did appreciate that he didn't insist on getting physically close to her, but she still felt reluctant to have a conversation with him, despite her resolve just now. After all, Carcass didn't feel comfortable talking to someone just to use their incentive against them.

"My feet are not touching the ground, that is not possible."
Carcass commented tentatively, completely serious. She still wasn't familiar with all kinds of phrases and sayings that the English language included. Carcass soon continued, eyes facing forward.
"Knowing your personal information will not be of any use to me, you do not need to share it merely because I will not share mine."
But Carcass had a feeling Stefan was going to share things about himself anyway.

Carcass had told herself that no matter what Stefan would say she wouldn't give him a reaction. That was how one lost. But the fact that Stefan was the son of the goddess Freya did catch her attention. Carcass hadn't been aware of the gods when she had been a nymph, but after she was resurrected Carcass did some research into Scandinavia, where she had originally dwelled. Where there, Carcass did not know. But she had found out about the Norse gods, Freya among them.
But Stefan didn't have to know that.

"I am not familiar with Freya."
Carcass lied, hoping that Stefan would take this as a sign to stop talking about her home country.

It was a mystery to Carcass as to why Stefan insisted on sharing things about himself, outside it being so Carcass would start to trust him and then share things about herself. She refused to fall for it, and instinctively Carcass straightened her already straight posture, so she was as straight as a board. It was a habit for when she wanted to gain some more courage, being able to remain dignified in a situation that made you feel uncomfortable was the greatest sign of courage in Carcass' opinion.

"Then I cannot stop you."
Carcass merely answered, and then her eyes caught a bird on a tree branch just by the side of the trail. The conversation with Stefan had kept her distracted from the fact that they were still surrounded by greenery. Seeing the bird reminded Carcass of that, but before the ache could settle in Carcass let herself take in the joy of seeing the bird, a small piece of life, happy in its natural environment. Carcass' smile, now directed at the bird, softened and was almost warm and gentle. The very opposite of the cold and empty smile she gave Stefan and all other people. But the bird soon flew away and Carcass' smile dropped, back to the cold and polite smile from before.