Darius didn't know how Cheri saw beauty, but he had a very small view of the world and knew that much at least. To him beauty was something precious in whatever way one found it and should be preserved if possible.

He shook his head repeatedly as he tried to soothe their sadness. "I am so very sorry! No one wants to touch me." Sonia did, but that was different. She knew he was safe and liked him for that. He leaned down without getting right into their face. "Please, touch away. I will never react that way again to you for something like this, I give my word." He let go of their hand to hold it up as if to make the promise more official. Then he took the hand again and ran a thumb over the back of it, it seemed to be something he'd seen to soothe someone. "Please, does this help? If I can dry your tears, tell me how."