(no subject)

[pictureimperfect]

WHO: Thistle and a WEED INTERLOPER
WHERE: Thistle barn
WHEN: Also skipping to early morning 14 (I'm sorry day 13 you're getting skipped all over)

[At some point in the night Yata brought a friend over for a sleepover, and now someone is crawling out of his bed to raid Thistle's fridge and use their shower]

Comments

[survivaltricks]

[. . . SWEATS. . .]

Do you want some advice?

[debug_mode]

I'm interested in hearing your advice. I'll consider if I want to take it at face value as advice, analyze it for a betrayal of your true motives in offering it, or use it as a baseline to anticipate and analyze your behavior and internal psychology. Probably a combination. Depends on if I like it or if it's what I want to hear.

1/2

[survivaltricks]

[gIRL]

[survivaltricks]

Well.

At least you're honest.

[EXASPERATED]

Maybe take it down, by about. . . ten notches?

[debug_mode]

Take what down? Can you be more specific?

[survivaltricks]

Mmm. . .

[HOW DOES HE PUT THIS INTO WORDS]

I think you have your reasons for not trusting people, and that's okay. You don't need to trust them.

But I think you'll find that if you're kind and genuine with someone, they'll be kind to you in return.

[debug_mode]

... I don't understand.

I am, strictly speaking, from my own point of view, trying to help you. Do you think I am simply playing psychological mind games with you?

I'm aware it's a viewpoint you likely haven't considered... I fairly listened to yours in return.

Whether that's a kindness is up to your point of view. But, someone recently told me I have no right to be here... Not in Thistle, but here.

Would you agree?

[survivaltricks]

[giving her a Look that says "you definitely don't get it," but if he's learned anything in talking to her these past few days. . . it's that pushing will get him nowhere]

That's my advice. Take it or leave it.

[. . . but. . .]

[at what she says last, he lifts his gaze to meet hers, head tilted slightly]

If by "being here" you mean "existing," then of course you have a right to exist. Everyone does.

If someone told you otherwise, they're they're an asshole.

[debug_mode]

And what do I do with said 'asshole'?

Or, rather, what would you do?

[survivaltricks]

Ignore them.

[his lips twitch a bit at that, and he looks pensive, almost as though he's recalling a memory of his own]

. . . they don't matter. The only thing that does are the people who see you for you.

[debug_mode]

We don't live in a world of billions of people where one angry individual can be forgotten like a speck of sand on a beach.

[survivaltricks]

Mmm. I never said it was easy. In fact, learning to drown out the voices of those who hate or belittle you takes. . . [a breath] A lot of time.

[he looks away for a moment, eyes growing distant, before he looks back at her]

But if you make an effort to surround yourself with people who want you around, then one day. . . you won't even remember that anyone else exists.

[debug_mode]

[truth field off]

I'd rather work with them. Can't we give peace a chance?

[survivaltricks]

I think my method is pretty peaceful.

[tilts his head; HE STILL HASN'T NOTICED THE TRUTH FIELD]

If you want to work with them despite them being an asshole, that's a different thing entirely.

[debug_mode]

Do you believe every man's an island? I think the saying goes the exact opposite.

[survivaltricks]

Every man's a. . . what?

[he is not familiar with that saying]

[debug_mode]

"No man's an island unto himself." No one can be entirely self-sufficient?

[survivaltricks]

Oh. Yeah. I agree with that.

[nodnods]

[debug_mode]

Well... there you go.

[survivaltricks]

I don't think what I was saying and that statement are mutually exclusive, though.

I did say to surround yourself with people who care about you, and to ignore the ones you don't. But-- I'm not arrogant enough to think that my own method works for everyone, so.

[debug_mode]

Well, I'm a weed, you're a shepherd. You've got... how many people surrounding you? Let's count...

[survivaltricks]

It's not the quantity, it's the quality. And I already told you that I don't care what color your collar is.

[debug_mode]

You keep saying that. You. Singular. Unique.

[survivaltricks]

[gIRL!!!]

[gestures at Yata??]

[debug_mode]

Yata is special.

[...]

You know, I have a question. "You'll find if you're kind and genuine, people will give you kindness?"

Okay, how much?

How much kindness should I give Rose that openly tells me to my face that they're glad weeds exists now, so that they don't default to being the "problem team" anymore?

How much kindness do I need to show bluebell? The first day I was here, I helped them save a teammate from the woods. "Thank you, goodbye." I didn't even know where I could eat, let alone sleep.

How much kindness did I need to show that traitor, who outright lied to me with false information that would've put me at risk if I blindly followed it, from the first day?

And what about the so-called 'natives'? Red at least tells me he doesn't care who he sells to as long as he gets his tasks done. Meanwhile, Daisy greets me with scorn and derision that I shouldn't be here. Stormy is... Stormy. But, has he threatened to burn you to ash recently?

Indeed... the only kindness I've received is from one entity.

...and don't you dare say those are signs I should jump ship.