[ She remains silent a little moment. It's taking a lot for her not to collapse into tears right there and then. But she has to be strong. She's not the victim here, and she deserves every ounce of the guilt she's feeling. ]
A lot may be an exaggeration. [She shakes her head.] I-I have difficulties spending too much time with people, even those I call my friends... After a time, my anxiety becomes that much harder to handle.
[ He probably doesn't need to know that... But she wants to make it clear that spending even a little time with her means she cares a lot about people. Her mental batteries just get exhausted quickly the more people surround her. ]
I'd be happy to try, but... [A pause.] Why?
[ If anything, she should be the last person he'd like to spend time with. ]
You? Anxious? Well, that does make me feel better about all the times you got sad when you saw me. I thought I just made you extremely miserable.
[He won't judge. One of the most powerful people he knows gets overwhelmed in social situations, but he wouldn't notice it until they became closer friends.
He sighs, his mouth relaxing into a smile, and crosses his arms before his chest.] I don't know. I think I miss what the old me had. And I see these ducks all the time and no one else seems to know much about them. And...well, I was your friend, too. I'm not a changed man. Maybe you missed talking to me and you wouldn't make the first move out of respect. Which I totally understand, so I'm asking first.
[ To be fair he did make her extremely miserable... Though through no fault of his own. Only because of what his presence made her feel, the horrible memories and actions it brought back to her mind, the guilt it amplified.
But... She doesn't feel as guilty now any more. Maybe it's a good thing he came to have this conversation. When she turns back to look at him, she's crying silently, tears running down her cheeks - and yet, she's smiling. ]
T-That's right. I was afraid approaching you would... hurt more than it'd do any good.
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A lot may be an exaggeration. [She shakes her head.] I-I have difficulties spending too much time with people, even those I call my friends... After a time, my anxiety becomes that much harder to handle.
[ He probably doesn't need to know that... But she wants to make it clear that spending even a little time with her means she cares a lot about people. Her mental batteries just get exhausted quickly the more people surround her. ]
I'd be happy to try, but... [A pause.] Why?
[ If anything, she should be the last person he'd like to spend time with. ]
no subject
[He won't judge. One of the most powerful people he knows gets overwhelmed in social situations, but he wouldn't notice it until they became closer friends.
He sighs, his mouth relaxing into a smile, and crosses his arms before his chest.] I don't know. I think I miss what the old me had. And I see these ducks all the time and no one else seems to know much about them. And...well, I was your friend, too. I'm not a changed man. Maybe you missed talking to me and you wouldn't make the first move out of respect. Which I totally understand, so I'm asking first.
no subject
But... She doesn't feel as guilty now any more. Maybe it's a good thing he came to have this conversation. When she turns back to look at him, she's crying silently, tears running down her cheeks - and yet, she's smiling. ]
T-That's right. I was afraid approaching you would... hurt more than it'd do any good.
[ She smiles more brightly. ]
Thank you. I'd be happy to be your friend again.