Kismet
This IS me.
I am not sure about him being "pensive". We live in different cities and these days don't have much contact. No one told me that it happened to him and when we spoke he assumed that I knew. It was an awkward conversation considering we were once very close mates.
I suppose it would have been a difficult conversation ( had many myself for YEARS because of it - people treat you differently, and it's because you ARE different.. it's hard to get your head around as your own stuff has changed forever.. through no choice of your own?).
I hope he continues to do well and continues on being his new self and embraces that as much as he can.