tfln #4 return of the terrible choices

[muskeg]

you know the drill. have at it, swampians.

Comments

[foxtwo]

no, an event involving magic is why i've got these nightmares.

[strewn]

Oh, I'm sorry. Bad memories?

[foxtwo]

very.

[strewn]

I'm really sorry. I wish I knew what to say in a situation like this.

[foxtwo]

It's okay. It's not your responsibility to make me feel better. And it's been better, in this house. I have friends and my brother is happy, which helps me.

I put you in a bad situation, in which nothing you could say would make things better. It's not on you, I'm sorry.

[strewn]

You shouldn't apologize. I think some people would know better how to be comforting, even if there weren't anything really obvious to say to make it better.

I want to know better how to do that. I don't like the thought of people suffering. But I'm glad you have friends here. And your brother.

[foxtwo]

if i want comfort, i know who to go to.

you can't stop everyone's suffering, that's now how things work. you have to accept you can help some people, and not some others.

[strewn]

Someone important to you?

That's hard. I know it's true, but I don't like it, if that makes sense.

[foxtwo]

yes, there are a few

you'll get used to it. and honestly, i like you. and i think over time, i'll get to help you out more, and you'll also get to help me out, even if you don't even realize it.

[strewn]

Oh, that's good. I've started to realize it's good to have people like that in your life.

I'll be glad if we can help each other. And maybe know one another better? If that's all right.

[foxtwo]

are you flirting with me?

[strewn]

Flirting? No, that's not what I was trying to do. It seemed that way?

[foxtwo]

Not really. I'm just teasing you.

[strewn]

Oh. I'm not very good at picking up on that.

[foxtwo]

it's hard, via text, too. sorry. i know you have a special someone, i wouldn't try to seduce you away.

[strewn]

Well, you are very charming. I'm just saying. That wasn't flirting either.

Sorry. And thank you.

[foxtwo]

ah, thank you. you're nice.

[strewn]

I'm just honest, I think. I'm not sure how much being nice has to do with it.

[foxtwo]

what you consider honesty is niceness to me, that's all

[strewn]

Is it because you prefer people being direct?

[foxtwo]

yes, i do

[strewn]

I can do that. It's much easier than being roundabout. That requires a lot of invention.

[foxtwo]

good, then we can honest friends.

[strewn]

I like the sound of that a lot. Thank you. [ He's relieved, because of course he is. ]

[foxtwo]

me too.