[closed] can't we give ourselves one more chance?

[benhargreeves]

Who: Ben, Cole, Ami
What: Cole and Ami need to Talk™ and Ben is there to mediate and make everybody feel safe and copacetic
When: October 7
Where: The library

He had agonized over where would be the best place to do this, once Ami had given him the heads-up that she felt ready. (Maybe throwing that party was good for her mental health, she felt steady enough in herself to face all this). His first thought had been the library, but then he'd doubted that, questioned it. Is that just where he feels safest? That's not important here. What is important is making Cole and Ami both feel comfortable and safe, helping them to hear one another and overcome their fear of one another so that they can help each other out.

But he'd listed all the other options he knew in the Anchor, and each had its own set of drawbacks. In the end he'd returned to the library again - it's brightly-lit and quiet, with comfortable chairs, nooks if either need a moment of privacy, but not convoluted enough that the space will pose an issue.

So he picks the time - late morning - and brings in some snacks (such as they are). That's definitely Grace's influence. Ben wishes briefly she were here, that he could ask her if there is anything he is missing, how to be sure he is helping and making them both feel okay.

He arrives before either of the others; he'd come fifteen minutes before the time he'd told both of them. He had also said, to each, to reiterate, that he ws there for them, there to help, and that he wouldn't let anything bad happen, while he was around.

Comments

[livingdeadgirl]

Ami's already been spending more time at the library, lately. When she's needed a quiet place to retreat to, someplace she'll be safe on her own, her go-to used to be her bedroom. But she doesn't feel all that safe there anymore, and not just because of the cameras.

She told Ben she felt ready, but really, it's more that she's as ready as she'll ever be. The party went off more or less without a hitch. She's made some new friends. Nothing's tried to kill them in a while. There really is no better time than the present.

But... she's still dreading this meeting about as much as ever.

It's for the best, she knows. If she's becoming Aradia, body and soul, then ... she at least wants to know what Aradia is. It's been eating at her for the better part of a year, the not knowing. At least once she knows, she won't have to deal with that uncertainty anymore.

She's just afraid the certainty will be worse.

For the meeting, she's dressed exactly as she was when she first arrived to Anchor, the black sweater and skirt and knee-high buckled platform boots, and her makeup seems a little heavier than usual, if only because she's been trying to stretch it the rest of the time. The clothes she brought from home, her makeup exactly how she likes it. It's like armor, in a way. An affirmation to herself that she is herself.

She arrives a few minutes early, nervousness quickening her steps. Ben's already there, and she waves a little once he notices her. "Hi. Am I early?"