Sand is everywhere (open)

"Oh." That was all that Sam managed to say, their brow furrowing as they tried to figure out how to respond to that. It was clear from Sasori's tone that he wasn't keen on the idea of this arranged marriage and it caused a small flicker of pity to form in Sam's stomach. Romance and marriage had never seemed all that...Feasible for Sam, as they had never feeling the type of love for somebody that was so often described in cheesy romance novels.

But even then the idea of an arranged marriage just seemed...Off. Wasn't marriage suppose to be a special thing between two people that loved each other with all of their hearts? "And I'm guessing you don't love her?" Sam noted in a soft, gentle tone. They weren't sure what answer they were expecting - but if it was a touchy topic they were willing to drop it. This...This was becoming a bit of a strange first meeting but at least Sasori was opening up to them - perhaps friendship wasn't that far off.

Sasori shook his head. "Not in that way.. She's like a little sister to me. We grew up together but our clan cast her out and once I figured out my gift they cast me out as well." He shrugged seeming emotionless but honestly he cared.

This was much more then Sam had been expecting to learn. They simply blinked at Sasori causal mentioning that they had been 'casted out.' There was almost a pain that flashed in this stomach at that, swallowing back a pit of fear that if their parents found out about the whole non-binary thing...Their shoulders dipped as they took in a shake breath, trying to flash Sasori a smile but found it was getting harder. "I-I mean if you were...Casted out then does that arrange marriage still stand?" they questioned softly as they tried not to think about if they had been in his shoes. When Sam had come to terms with the idea that they weren't male or female, the fear of not being accepted had been real. They had barely told anybody but Sasori...Sasori was a person who had been thrown out for something that he couldn't control and an emotion swelled up in Sam that truth be told, they never thought they would ever feel. Anger.

Sasori nodded. "Unfortunately yes it does still stand. Although we were cast out they didn't disown up we're just outcasts and our clan shuns us well all except for Kuno's mother my parents and our grandparents. Kuno's father isn't from our clan so they hate her even more so only her mother talks to her and our grandparents occasionally talk to her but it only includes important matters. I practically raised Kuno and she eventually fell in love with me I just have to ignore her in hopes that she gets over me. I hate to do it really but I do not believe in arranged marriages especially inside your own family. But my family is traditional so I can't get out of it. Where we come from our grandparents words are law." He said giving a summary of his life.

Sam fell completely silent as Sasori started to ramble on, blinking as they struggled to follow the rush of words that came from the older boy's mouth. It...It was a lot to be telling somebody that they had just met but Sam did their best to follow along, wanting to be as polite as possible. Finally after Sasori finished, Sam nervously cleared their throat as they tried to come up with what to say. "I...I see," Sam finally said as they gently dipped their head as if they had fully understood everything but...Well they think they got the important bits down.

"Well...I mean I understand what its like not being 'traditional.' You see..." Sam drifted off as they frowned worryingly, wondering if it was smart to tell almost a complete stranger this. How would Sasori react? But...Well, Sasori had been so open to them. Why couldn't they return the favor. They waved their hands in an open gesture as if to gather the right words to even start explaining what they wanted to say. "There are two genders, right? Male, female...Well, I'm neither," they explained before wincing sightly. "At least, I don't see myself as either one. I'm not a 'he' or a 'she.' I'm a...I'm a they."

There was a faint pause before they decided to continue, seeing no reason to stop. "I can't explain it but one day I just realized I didn't feel like I was male...But I also didn't feel like I was female. And while there was a name for it - being non-binary - I fear what people would think of me because I didn't fit the standard so I just...Never told anybody. I went with whatever gender people see me as because...Well I like being liked. And I fear that people won't accept me for...Well me." Another pause as they blinked. "I-I'm sorry, I'm not sure where I was going with that. But the point is that...Well, I decided to be a lot more open about who I was when I came to Beata. Why not try to be who you want to be, Sasori? Don't let your family get you down."

Sasori stared at Sam in surprise. "Wow. Well I believe others should be whatever, or whoever they want to be. Not who they were 'destined to be.'" He said and put air quotes on the last part. Sasori didn't know what he was feeling with Sam but he made him feel warm and fuzzy and he couldn't put down words for it. They confused him to no ends and he had just met him.