[WolfgangD]

This is a tricky one ... for some background, I was tentatively diagnosed as being on the spectrum in my mid-late 20s. Prior to that, I was just that weird kid that most of my peers couldn't stand. A lot of bullying as a kid, plus varying levels of abuse in adulthood, brought me to the conclusion that no matter where I am or whom I'm with, there's always something I (have to? need to? prefer to?) hide. Some facets around family, some around work, some around friends, some around online friends ... and I'm just sorta used to it, I guess? Or at least, resigned to the fact that no one is obligated to accept all of me, so I might as well offer them the parts they like.

After all, persona is just an old Greek word for "mask."