[A heavy sigh ruffles Al's hair before Urahara brushes it back into place with gentle, comforting fingers.]
I don't know.
[There were some of those in the higher numbered areas of Rukongai. Depraved and power hungry, but too weak to prey on anything else aside from children. Easy money, easy targets and innocent. There's always something about purity that brings out the worst in some people.]
[The touch to his hair helped loosen the knot of rage in his chest, but it lapsed into helplessness. He was barely able to help Jim progress and trust when he was younger, how in the world can he hope to help him now?]
Help him grow accustomed to normal touches. He seems much more affectionate now, [Though that in itself is worrying as well.] so indulge him there while making your intentions clear. If he attempts otherwise, let him know that his advances are unwanted and inappropriate.
[Teach him right from wrong, in other words.]
However, I would caution against showing too much of your discomfort with it as it may only encourage him. As I said, he seems to have learned to use it as a tool. With me, it was as a defense to my questions about the late Lord Trancy, but I have no doubt he would be willing to use it an offense should the mood strike him. Alois-san seems particularly capricious sometimes.
If you wish to question him on the issue, you will need to be prepared for how he may act in order to distract you from the topic.
I've found that the best way to reach what's left of Jim-san is by talking about Luca-san and how he may react to whatever Alois-san does. Of course, there's always the risk of that angle becoming overused, but we shall have to be careful.
[But no, Urahara is worried as well, and he rests his chin on Al's shoulder, heading bobbing up and down slightly as he speaks.]
However, I don't think he thinks it normal. From his evasion and his use of it, he seems to recognize that it is something out of the ordinary that can be used to his advantage. In a way, I think that sometimes he may think that may be all he is truly good at.
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I don't know.
[There were some of those in the higher numbered areas of Rukongai. Depraved and power hungry, but too weak to prey on anything else aside from children. Easy money, easy targets and innocent. There's always something about purity that brings out the worst in some people.]
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... what can I do?
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[Teach him right from wrong, in other words.]
However, I would caution against showing too much of your discomfort with it as it may only encourage him. As I said, he seems to have learned to use it as a tool. With me, it was as a defense to my questions about the late Lord Trancy, but I have no doubt he would be willing to use it an offense should the mood strike him. Alois-san seems particularly capricious sometimes.
If you wish to question him on the issue, you will need to be prepared for how he may act in order to distract you from the topic.
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He must have been very hurt. He probably hasn't had any safe sort of parent figure -- the closest thing might be Claude.
With Luca here it might help to curb the impulse- he probably does realize it's inappropriate, but...
[He trails off, fumbling over terrible thoughts he doesn't want to give voice to.]
... when you're abused that young, you think of it as something normal. I hate to worry about what Luca might see around him, but...
[There is a cycle of abuse.]
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[But no, Urahara is worried as well, and he rests his chin on Al's shoulder, heading bobbing up and down slightly as he speaks.]
However, I don't think he thinks it normal. From his evasion and his use of it, he seems to recognize that it is something out of the ordinary that can be used to his advantage. In a way, I think that sometimes he may think that may be all he is truly good at.
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[Al gives a gusty little sigh, attempting to shake off the worry.]
And that's a terrible thing for someone to believe. He already was so... in pain.
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