un: abnormalitylover, voice

[abnormalizes]

How do I get my friends to not be upset when I talk about life at home?

It's not like they can do anything about it or like bad things are happening here now, so I mostly just feel bad for making them feel bad and making the conversation really awkward.

Is this a normal part of having friends? It sucks and I would like to opt out, please.

Comments

it is four here lol i'm not dysfunctional at all

[kingside]

[... Evangeline.]

What have you said so far?

do not

[abnormalizes]

That I don't do committed relationships because I've seen so many people die all the time that the idea of getting attached like that is terrifying for me.

do not what

[kingside]

[Well, at least she's in touch with her emotions.]

Did that not go over well?

[Because. Okay, he can sort of see why, but also, you know.]

be up at 4 am!!

[abnormalizes]

She wasn't offended by the rejection or anything, she took that fine. But she really wanted to talk about it and try to comfort me and I really didn't want to dwell on it any more.

I DIDN'T DO IT ON PURPOSE actually no i might have done it on purpose can't remember

[kingside]

[Hmm. Mulling that one over a moment.]

She ought to respect your boundaries at least. That said, I can also see how speaking about it might benefit you, but that really should be with a trained therapist and on your terms, not anyone else's. It does no good to force this sort of thing.

smh!!

[abnormalizes]

I guess it might be good to talk to a professional about it... But do you think any therapist in Ellipsa is prepared to deal with that?

[kingside]

I didn't say it was likely to happen.

[abnormalizes]

It'd be nice. Right now the person I'm most comfortable talking to about it is you, so.

[Lelouch probably also would like to let a professional handle it.]

[kingside]

Regrettably, I'm not a therapist.

[And he has... you know, sort of a questionable history when it comes to discussing anyone's trauma, to say nothing of his own, so. Yep.]

[abnormalizes]

Yeah, I know. I feel bad about making you listen to this stuff when you're not even getting paid for it.

[kingside]

[Sigh.]

More specifically, I regret that I can only offer you a willing ear and nothing in the way of treatment. Advice, perhaps, but nothing informed by specific psychological theories or practices. It may very well do more harm than good.

[abnormalizes]

I mean, a willing ear and a lack of judgment or pity is pretty nice in itself. Even if the advice isn't always the best, I appreciate just the listening part.

[kingside]

Then I suppose I'll continue to offer that.

[abnormalizes]

Thanks, Lelouch. You're a good friend.

[Better than he'd give himself credit for, for sure.]

[kingside]

[SIGHS TO HIMSELF OFFSCREEN.]

Just don't tell anyone. I have a reputation to maintain.

[abnormalizes]

I promise not to reveal your secret identity as a decent person.

[kingside]

[Gods that is far too close to home.]

I appreciate it.

[abnormalizes]

No problem. I'm pretty sure I'm still getting the better end of the deal here.

[kingside]

I wouldn't go so far. Speaking to you is oddly refreshing.

[abnormalizes]

Huh, that's a new one for me. I'll take it though.

[kingside]

Your perspective is drastically different from most people's, so yes, I'd say "refreshing" is appropriate. Also bizarre and unsettling, but not in a bad way most of the time.

[abnormalizes]

Huh! Huh. That makes sense, I guess?

[She sounds... uncharacteristically embarrassed.]

[kingside]

[The strangest things fluster her, really, which is sort of par for the course, so. Sure, Evangeline.]

I can call you "weird" if that would be easier to stomach.

[abnormalizes]

No, I mean - I'm used to weird so that'd be fine, but compliments are nice too?

[kingside]

[This response is somewhat more bewildering, but okay.]

I'll remember it.