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[nohalfway]

[Automated Voice]

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"Holy shit, I don't fucking know how to do a regular message, what is wrong with this thi--"

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Comments

[whitequeens]

[Well that's not the reaction she was expecting.] No, I-- I wasn't offended or anything. You've done nothing to apologize for.

I just wasn't sure what it was I'd said that had upset you, so...

[nohalfway]

Well, uh...

[ She grits her teeth, eyes shifting to the side as she tries to find the right words. It's been a shitty weekend, considering she bailed on a party in a panic and had Joel come get her. Plus there's that biting fear of basically everyone after that conversation. ]

Honestly, it's nothing you did at all. I just...

I'm not exactly fun company here. This place just isn't me or... Some other set of words that would make total sense to you and not make me look like such an idiot.

[ Translation: she's scared of everyone. ]

[whitequeens]

[Euphie is quiet for a while, collecting her thoughts.] From what you've told me, the world you come from is a very harsh one. And you've no reason to trust anyone. That must be very hard.

...but I would like to get to know you, if that's possible. I would like to be your friend, somehow.

I realize there's nothing I can do or say to make myself trustworthy, though...

[nohalfway]

[ Ellie sighs, planting her hand to her face in both frustration and disappointment. And it's not like she wants to just open up her stomach and throw her guts on the table for everyone to see, but god she feels like she owes an explanation to this poor girl. ]

It's not--

[ She groans, dropping her hand into her lap. ]

Okay, it is a trust thing, yeah. If I keep going on denying it, it'll only drive me more insane. I didn't have to deal with this kind of shit back home. It was just a mutual understanding that you didn't trust anyone and they sure as fuck didn't trust you.

This place is so different from what I'm used to and I just...

Feel out of place. It's not your fault, and it's not like I don't appreciate you trying to be nice to me. In fact, I really appreciate it. No one gives a flying fuck about you unless you're worth something where I come from.

And I'm not...

Used to people wanting to be friends with me.

[whitequeens]

Back home, my sister used to say I was silly for trusting people, too. Still, I think it's a little different than what you've gone through. [It's said with the tiniest of smiles, an effort to find even some measure of common ground.]

I don't know how to make friends with someone myself. So I'll probably be very bad at it, too.

But... everyone starts somewhere, don't we?

[nohalfway]

[ Ellie's glance remains away from Euphie, glued to her feet as she listens. They eventually look back through the camera, a look of discomfort and disappointment still coloring her features. ]

Yeah, guess so.

[ And she tries a smile. ]

I don't want you to think I didn't like you or anything, 'cause I don't hate you. I promise.

[whitequeens]

I would hope I hadn't given you any reason to.

[Another smile, slightly larger than the previous one.] Is there something you might be comfortable doing? Perhaps having lunch together, or... meeting someplace?

[nohalfway]

I think I can make plans for something soon.

Just uh.

Give me a couple days, okay? I've got a dude here that is pretty reliant on my every command, so plans have to be fully discussed.

[whitequeens]

Okay!

Um, if it would help, he can come too?

[nohalfway]

[ Ellie can't help but laugh at the offer. Just picturing Joel sitting there with that grumpy look on his face. ]

He's a total grump, but I'll tell him about that too.

[whitequeens]

Well... I suppose I should let you do that, then.

I hope we can work something out, Ellie. I'd really like to make friends here.