[Varian still has no idea what's bothering Fern here. What misstep he made that turned him from someone recognisably his friend again- where everything was better and good... to this. He understands only too well it doesn't take much. He knows that Fern isn't anywhere near the point he is, in trying to fix himself. But he still doesn't get it.

He sighs, pocketing the alchemy ball and moving to sit down across from him, legs crossed. ]

I don't think you were better off as swords. And I don't think you're a loser.

[He taps his fingers on his knee, trying to puzzle out where things went wrong. This is so much easier with chemicals than it is with people. He can cut out variables with relative simplicity. People aren't like chemicals (despite being made of chemicals, he thinks- no, not now) they're complicated and their issues are intertwined and you can't just pick them apart. ]

Fern. What was all that about? Help me understand here. I thought things were okay? I- I don't get it. Was it something I did? I want to help, but I can't help if I don't understand what's going on. C'mon. Cards on the table. Like we promised.