There was the way he said it, literally, and what it had sounded like. Calling him a 'poor little thing' along with that? It's what it sounded like out loud. He knew why he was turned? What did that even mean? There was a tightening to his throat as his anxiety and darker thoughts came to the surface, whispering like they had before he focused on learning with Amadeus. Doubts, insecurities, it all tasted the same on his tongue. He wished strongly that there was someone else there for him to hide behind but there was just him and Tristian, no matter what moved around them.
Teeth grit, the corner of his mouth stuck on his fang and already threatening to break, Rhys looked at the ground. He could draw strength from inside of himself. Doing just that, even in a small amount, he pulled fully away from the other kindred and looked up at him again. Even though he was shaking inside. He had been so dependent on others to give him the world but here he was, alone.
"S-Sometimes the worst hide behind sparkle and good meanings." His words were quiet, and he had hesitation at first, but he was serious, his face still a little flushed. He'd drank more tonight than normal, after he found out about the ritual to connect to his sire. He was innocent, he was shy, he'd been abused and he'd lost the people he had latched himself to. "I think I-I can find my way from here." Maybe he'd just go home instead and just wait. Would he make it home without having a slight breakdown? Maybe. Who knew. This man was older than him, wiser, faster.