Kuvio and Ophelia agree to disagree

“I know! I’ll take you to my favorite salon.” Ophelia grinned.
You mean the only one that’ll let you in. “Sure.” Kuvio shrugged. “Kasimir’s taken to haunting the Library.”
The salon was located in the northwestern market outskirts-one of few places that Volitionists could roam freely, and receive fewer abhorrent glances. While the two girls walked there, Ophelia chattered about anything and everything that came to mind.
“Most of the people in the outer sector are a little scary, but Aunt Seraphine doesn’t mind that I’m a Volitionist.”
“It’s amazing how friendly people can be when you’re giving them money.”
“What was that?” Ophelia asked halfheartedly, bouncing along as if without a care in the world.
“She sounds nice, I guess.” Kuvio rolled her eyes. “Your aunt owns the salon? I thought the rest of your family lived in Saunders.”
“Seraphine isn’t actually my aunt. I don’t think she’s really anyone’s aunt. That’s just what she calls herself.”
Lovely.
“You know, you don’t look very approachable all wrapped up and hooded like an amphithere. You should let your hair down and smile a little.”
“I don’t really care to look ‘approachable’.”
“But you reinforce their ideas about us by looking all sketchy! If you made more of an effort like I do, I’m sure you’d be happier.”
“Ophelia, don’t be foolish. You can’t make these people like you by being a good person, or by embracing their ideology. They think we’re a nest of venomous snakes waiting to strike the unsuspecting. They believe what they want to believe, and they hate us.”
Ophelia was silent for a moment. Kuvio hoped that she hadn’t hurt her. She didn’t intend to destroy her happiness, or insult her way of life. She didn’t want Ophelia to think she didn’t like her either. Confound you, Kuvio, for being so vicious.
“Ophelia, I-” Kuvio began, hoping to salvage the friendship.
“It’s alright.” Ophelia interjected quietly. Kuvio hadn’t known her to interrupt anyone before, and it shocked her. “Really. I know you don’t agree with me, and I’m okay with that. But I wasn’t attempting to force my ideas on you, so you don’t need to react like a threatened porcupine.” Her gaze had dropped to the ground, and she’d stopped walking.
“I’m sorry.” It was all Kuvio could say.
Ophelia met Kuvio’s eyes, her own eyes watery. “They’re wrong about us. About me. I just want to help people and have friends and be normal.”
Kuvio smiled faintly. “You do help people, and you have friends. At least, you have one.” Kuvio didn’t usually prefer touching other people, but in this situation she thought only one thing appropriate. She took Ophelia’s hand and hugged her for a few heartbeats, before pulling away and placing her hands on Ophelia’s shoulders. “You’re too prolific a healer to be normal, so you might as well give that part up.”