i scream, you scream, we all scream because we just fucking do

[throwabookatit]

Private Conversations with Viral! please keep yelling to a minimum (jk go wild)

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[throwabookatit]

[ There's a pause. A moment, where she's debating just what to say. Trying to... ]

I did... I did want to thank you, for... I was caught up, back there, for.. for my own...personal reasons. It didn't do any good, and... Just, thank you, for...trying to snap me out of that.

[machrophage]

...It won't do any of us any good to get stuck on the past at times like that. At least at those... 'trials,' we need to keep our eyes forward.

[throwabookatit]

Some of the things he was talking about, they just...got me thinking. [ She sighs, hand at her head. ] Even Akira had to... Not exactly a good example, for any of them.

[machrophage]

It doesn't do them any good as an example to see you be perfect. If that happens, then how are they supposed to know what to do themselves when they stumble?

[throwabookatit]

Teach by example...? I've never liked my students to see my mistakes but...but then, the others here...aren't my students, are they?

[ It sounds like she's only just realizing this now. ]

I haven't...really interacted with kids their age, outside of my job. [ Or...many guys...honestly... ]

[machrophage]

There's... a strength to be had in admitting that you might be wrong.

[And that's with a small, uncomfortable shift.]

From example is the only way I ever learned anything, anyway.

[throwabookatit]

Of course, though it...

[ She...hesitates herself, for a moment, it... This seems something hard for her to say. ]

It's just that I...found some similarities, between the two of us. Me and him. And his...his weaknesses.

[ Who else has it written there, a weakness for a person...who also is someone they're fond of? ]

[machrophage]

...Even if that's similar, that's not all you are.

And it doesn't mean that the person who is important to you is anything like his.

[throwabookatit]

[ ...It's true. Whatever relationship, it- it doesn't compare to hers with Ashton. To seventeen years. To what he means to her. ]

Really, he would be furious, if I even... [ Her hand at her eyes again, and a taut smile. ] I- don't know why I'm saying all this. We barely know each other, after all, you were...you were just the first person, who came to see me.

[machrophage]

Maybe that's all it takes, sometimes. Someone willing to listen.

[throwabookatit]

[ Her voice is, strangely for her, soft. Incredibly so. ]

Then... Thank you. For listening.

[machrophage]

...Any time.

[It's not quite a promise, but. It's a Thing.]

[throwabookatit]

...You too, you know? If...you need to talk about anything, I- I'd...be able to return the favor.

[machrophage]

...If there ever is anything, I might take you up on that.

[throwabookatit]

Just let me know.

[ A moment's hesitation. ]

You're...a lot nicer than I first thought.

[machrophage]

...Humans are more complex than I imagined.

[It's not quite the same thing, and yet, it says a lot, doesn't it?]

[throwabookatit]

[ A soundless laugh. ]

I suppose we're both learning a thing or two here, after all.

[machrophage]

[A similar one from Viral, showing all of those teeth.]

Perhaps the only kind of learning going on at this 'school.'

[throwabookatit]

[ That first day, the sight of his sharp, sharp teeth frightened her, but now?

Not one bit. ]

I won't breathe a word of it to those bawheids if you don't.