IC Inbox: Empatheias

[young_oldman]

[Your birds might get a little plump on bird seeds. Just saying.]

Comments

[gottacatch]

[ Ah, so Lu Meng doesn't want to talk about cleaning. What a shame.

But it's harder to take anything else more serious in and especially what Lu Meng wants to talk about, the facts that should be shocking barely registering to Red when he hears them. What was supposed to be (and was) a celebratory day has turned into this, and it squeezes at his heart inside his chest.

The paper cup suddenly wastes away halfway then, liquid spilling over Red's hands and onto his trousers and causing him to jump up from his seat. He wipes at it, his other hand balling into a fist around the remnants he still holds before he lets it drop, and he stands there with agitation on his face, a growing spike of irritation worrying him on top of everything else.

Red's silent like that for a while, before his own silence--all of this--becomes too much. ]

I can't do this right now, I just-- I want to see my pokémon. I don't want to think about any of this right now.

[ But while that might be enough, his tongue doesn't seem to want to stop there. ] I ruined his day, Lu Meng. I ruined yours. And because of something I can't remember? How? Who am I turning into?

[ Red shakes his head, wishing instantly he could take back those last words especially, the fear leaking out from him intermingled with worry. He's losing what hold he did have, and he takes a step away from the man. ]

I need to clear my head. Just let me do that.

[young_oldman]

Alright. I won't pursue the matter any further tonight. But before you go, I just want you to know.

You're not turning into anything. [Lu Meng says calmly, taking out a handkerchief from his pocket and handing it to Red.] This one incident doesn't make you a different person, you're still you. I know you won't be able to accept what I'm saying, but please know that I don't think any worse of you, and I'm not going to change my mind on what I said to you earlier.

[About how Lu Meng thinks Red is a good, caring person. Someone who strives to learn and help the people around him.]

[gottacatch]

[ Red takes the handkerchief silently but holds it--and fortunately not ruining it--without dabbing it against himself, his attention and concern elsewhere than the wet patch on his clothing. It was on Lu Meng, listening to him, knowing that what he was saying was sincere but being unable to really let it in.

And it wasn't the man's fault. Right then, Red couldn't think of any conversation from before, only a growing want to leave growing in him that was ready to animate his feet if he didn't get to it.

He at least musters a nod before he turns, a wordless thank you to Lu Meng before he's hurrying off with the handkerchief still clutched tightly in his hand. ]