Five Cents - Before The Mio Incident

[of-10-faces.livejournal.com]

It was a frivolous waste of time. But it was something that Tsukasa felt needed to be done. And in his wisdom, built a stand and placed it in the busiest intersection of the Chalice. And plopped himself down.




Care to talk with the doctor about your problems? Share maybe? All consultations confidential.

Comments

[of-10-faces.livejournal.com]

[Tsukasa nodded, folding his hands in front of himself.] Before we continue I have to say now that anything you tell me will be kept strictly confidential. Just as an aside.

Being an anchor for so many people feels daunting doesn't it? Like you can be in over your head before it all truly begins. But lets take this one step at a time. What's your relationship with your friend who has it all bottled up? How close have you two gotten, to find this out?

[emorangerpink]

[Laura thinks it over. It's not like it's going to be hard to guess who she's talking about, if she gives more than the barest details... but Tsukasa's trustworthy.]

That's the thing. She seems to have hardly any other friends at all. She's cut herself off from them, for years. Just... simply being friendly to her seemed to open up the floodgates. I think she really needed someone to be there for her, but now I'm worried how much damage it might do to her if I make a single misstep.

[of-10-faces.livejournal.com]

[So many similarities to a number of Riders. Tsukasa thought for a moment before he nodded.]

It sounds like it's a classic case of disassociation gone too far. Both physically and mentally. It's not like say a split but more like a professionalism split that has gotten much too far. Your friend has been struggling with trying to cut herself off, to keep her distance. The sheer amount of people who have to do that to any degree on this ship is enormous.

But there is hope with that, because it takes a little bit of interest. Ever heard of ARK, Laura? It's from a movie I saw in my own world, before I arrived here. Granted it was a comedy but it was short for something. "an Act of Random Kidness."

That's what she latched onto, am I getting warm?

[emorangerpink]

...Yes. It was something very small but it seemed to mean so much to her. I just gave her a chance to get some things off her mind and it seemed like she needed so badly to talk about so much. Really personal, private things, that I don't know how to help her with. But she needs help so badly... this all has her so twisted up inside that I worry she's on the verge of breakdown.

When... when I went missing, it hit her hard. I'm hoping the fact that I came back might help, but... it leaves me worried for what'll happen the next time I'm just not around.

[of-10-faces.livejournal.com]

There's something that the kids call give and take lately, and even adults use it. There's so much giving and too much taking. Your problem Laura, is that you're TOO giving, and not taking enough. You feel burdened that all you get is the release of guilt, and it can become one-sided.

Has she talked to you about your problems? Opened up? If you have, it's a good start. From there, you should decide on how to proceed, given the problems that one or many people can have with your friends. Lets be honest; this place is a community, everyone knows each other. I sing with Eri, Dita gives me massages, I talk with Hoshi and Kamille in the kitchen.

The point is that in a place like this, no one should need to feel trapped in their own emotions. If they do, it builds and boils, and twists good intentions into bad things. Such as a release of emotions and friendship becoming a one-way method to vent.

[emorangerpink]

[Laura laughs quietly.]

The thing is, I'd never have described myself like that. I think that's the problem. I've changed a lot since I came to the Chalice, and I'm not sure how much of it is real change and how much of it is just me trying to act like someone I'd rather be... or someone I'd rather be seen as.

I... don't talk about my problems so much. I guess... well, I've had Devon, for one thing. She already knew everything, so with her I didn't have to tell the parts that hurt to remember. With everyone else, I could just... be myself, now, and get used to that, use that to deal with the memories. Everyone's helped me so much just by that. But maybe you're right... maybe if I'm a little more open with her, it'll help her too.

[of-10-faces.livejournal.com]

Sometimes lines are blurred like that, until it becomes indistinguishable. The real fact of the matter, is that you keep the true Laura shrouded at times, but her beauty, and yours shines true on many occasions. There isn't a wrong way to do this at all, but a way to give a new look towards something. Your powers are amplification, correct? Then it reflects your own skill to amplify emotions in people, but it doesn't provide an avenue to release your own.

Knowing you at least have a person to speak to is a good start. And you came and sat down here, which is a lot more than I can say for some of the people here on the ship who would just pas me by. If you open up to her, she will help your own burdens.

[emorangerpink]

[Laura looks lost in thought. It's not just her new friends who've been saying such things to her - Devon too, knowing her longest and best, seems to agree she's not simply putting up a front. In which case...]

You're right. I think. I'll talk to her.

Thank you, Tsukasa.

[of-10-faces.livejournal.com]

Not a problem. I'll be here again if you want to talk again.