CONGRATULATIONS YOU ARE THROUGH TO RUDDIGER. PLEASE LEAVE FOOD AT THE END OF THE BEEP. MESSAGES CANNOT BE GUARANTEED DELIVERY IF FOOD IS NOT PROVIDED. [VIDEO | AUDIO | TEXT]
[And for once, he doesn't remind her of the importance of making promises to him. She knows that only too well, and he had faith in her to keep that promise.]
I...don't know. I don't even know where to start. Everything I thought might work on Cass I'd tried back home already. She didn't want to listen to me.
Maybe then... she needs to talk to someone who isn't from home. Think about all you've shared with me and Fern, people who have no connection to Corona. Think of how that may help.
Maybe Cass needs to talk to someone that has no history with her, who is a blank slate.
[He mulls that over, and the idea certainly has merit. He's worked through so much in his time here, thanks to having an outside perspective. Having people who haven't lived through what he has, who don't know the same people. ]
You know...that might actually work. She'd...she'd be a tough nut to crack. But maybe having someone who hasn't been part of...all that might make it easier for her to open up. Eventually.
Hey, just remember, she comes out of this, and this time? No big nasty demon to take care of on top of it and the three of you don't have to do this alone.
Oh, definitely. Because, well, she's Cass, right? And before everything with the Moonstone and Zhan Tiri, she still had all those traits you admired. She was someone you considered a friend and looked up to.
Someone doesn't just suddenly LOSE that because of some bad decisions. She's still that person. Just right now? She's... she's in pain.
People always lash out when they're in pain.
Oh, I mean, it WILL, but we'll also be here to make things better, that's what we do.
[That's something he has extensive personal experience in, after all. He sucks in a breath, trying to take comfort in what Usagi is trying to tell him. He knows she's right- that Cass is strong enough to fight this. To find her way out of the darkness again. She did it once. ]
You're...you're right. We'll be there to help, even if she...pushes us away. Not the first time I've had to stubbornly keep fighting for her to get better.
I know. [She would hug him if she could right now. She doesn't go much further than that, she knows how hard it is for him to forgive himself for his past... mostly in that he hasn't.]
I mean, you do stubborn almost as well as I do. [Of course, she has the advantage of turning into a literal god to stay as stubborn as she is.] But this time, you're not fighting alone either, no one is.
Please keep reminding yourself that you DON'T have to do this alone, Varian. Cass will get there. You already know she does. Just remember that. Remember it, and hopefully, start believing it too.
[He appreciates she doesn't press the matter. He knows, just as much as she does, how much he's forgiven himself for his past (he hasn't at all) and how much that worries her. Having a breather is...helpful.]
I know, I know. I don't have to deal with any of this alone, I do get it. And I really do appreciate all the help you guys give me. It's just... a lot. We'll figure something out.
no subject
[It is literally one of her DEEPEST fears.]
no subject
[And she knows, she knows, he doesn't make those easily. ]
no subject
But! [She takes a deep breath.] Somehow we've gotten off track! [And she hates being the center of a conversation like that.]
Cass, Rapunzel.
You're a "plan" sorta guy, so let's make one. What can we do to help you and them? Even if it's just small things.
no subject
I...don't know. I don't even know where to start. Everything I thought might work on Cass I'd tried back home already. She didn't want to listen to me.
no subject
Maybe Cass needs to talk to someone that has no history with her, who is a blank slate.
no subject
You know...that might actually work. She'd...she'd be a tough nut to crack. But maybe having someone who hasn't been part of...all that might make it easier for her to open up. Eventually.
no subject
no subject
no subject
It'll be okay, Vivi. Just take a deep breath.
no subject
[Even if he doesn't know how to help that along.]
I just hope this world doesn't make it worse, like it does.
no subject
Someone doesn't just suddenly LOSE that because of some bad decisions. She's still that person. Just right now? She's... she's in pain.
People always lash out when they're in pain.
Oh, I mean, it WILL, but we'll also be here to make things better, that's what we do.
no subject
[That's something he has extensive personal experience in, after all. He sucks in a breath, trying to take comfort in what Usagi is trying to tell him. He knows she's right- that Cass is strong enough to fight this. To find her way out of the darkness again. She did it once. ]
You're...you're right. We'll be there to help, even if she...pushes us away. Not the first time I've had to stubbornly keep fighting for her to get better.
no subject
I mean, you do stubborn almost as well as I do. [Of course, she has the advantage of turning into a literal god to stay as stubborn as she is.] But this time, you're not fighting alone either, no one is.
Please keep reminding yourself that you DON'T have to do this alone, Varian. Cass will get there. You already know she does. Just remember that. Remember it, and hopefully, start believing it too.
no subject
I know, I know. I don't have to deal with any of this alone, I do get it. And I really do appreciate all the help you guys give me. It's just... a lot. We'll figure something out.
no subject