[ hakutaku's lips part, then shut in surprise. after a moment, he actually starts going a little red. .. look. he's not used to this kind of reaction to what he is anymore. it's been a long time since humans believed in him, and given what he usually deals with from people who already know him, well.. ]

.. Oh. [ he clears his throat, straightening a little. ] Well. [ is he actually speechless? he's actually speechless. after a moment, he shifts the subject a little. ] You're not actually human yourself, are you? I've been around a long time and I don't think I've ever met anyone like you before.