[ITN] IC Inbox

[callada]

Leave a message.

[Or come find him in person!]

Comments

[callada]

I think I already am, aren't I?

[So that's a yes, but a cautious one. She's sweet, she's adorable, he wants to take care of her and help her grow into someone confident and kind, but he also wants to explore this place and take some risks that will not only keep them apart for periods of time, they're almost certain to be dangerous, and she's going to have to understand and accept that.]

I want you to have a lot of people who care about you, I'm just one of them, but I'm glad to be one.

[withsadness]

[Finally, totally, Mary relaxes. Maybe she doesn't understand--of course she doesn't understand. People always leave, but it's not something that she can stop. Or it might not be something that anyone wants to make her go through in the first place. But what she does understand is that he's right here, and there are other people out there, too, so close. And she's been so happy, and she's felt less alone than she's ever felt in her whole life.]

I'm glad, too. Thank you for never being scared of me.

[callada]

I couldn't be scared of you. You have a good heart. I believe in that.

[And he's in the fairly unique position of having spent a lot of time with some very frightening children. Mary is just one more, and he's determined to help her bring forth that goodness until it dominates whatever else is inside her that has grown out of fear and anger at the people in her past. Those people aren't here anymore. He doesn't discount their influence, but he believes she can grow past it.]

You know, if you're ever feeling overwhelmed or scared or alone, you can send me a message on that tablet. Even if I'm out helping other people, I can talk to you that way.

[withsadness]

Really? It wouldn't bother you?

[Now she's excited!]

I'll send you pictures, too! Really pretty ones that can make you feel happy no matter where you are!

[callada]

[He genuinely brightens at that, beaming a smile at her and her eagerness. So cute!]

Yeah! I'd love that. Send me pictures! I'd love to know what you're up to, or what you're drawing!

[withsadness]

Okay! From now on...whenever something good happens, or maybe even something that makes me feel sad, I'll draw it and share it with you. And maybe that will make me less sad, because I turned the sadness into something pretty that we got to look at together!

[Thinking about it makes her practically kick her legs in excitement.]

Rosi, Rosi! Your pretty smile came back!

[callada]

[His smile is pretty? He blushes faintly as he laughs at the compliment. That's not something he gets often, if ever, these days - and coming from her, it's so genuine.]

I guess it did, huh. And if there's ever anything that makes you sad, I can talk about it with you. Maybe we can figure it out together.