[ allison just grins in response. she likes sassy ben. she loved that side of him growing up, and still does. back then, of course, she didn't fully appreciate why he wasn't like that all the time. and then, of course, everything horrifically changed. allison regrets deeply that she never really understood that side of ben until it was too late. but now, they get a second chance, and it makes that small, teasing statement all the more special. ]
Let's do shower and sauna.
[ what's the point of going straight back to the dormitory? there, allison would just lie there cooped up, worried about whether or not she'll get sick. no thanks. ]
Lead the way?
[ allison's smile becomes a little gentler, a little more encouraging. ben is a part of her past, but he's a better part of her past. he's not a reminder of the narcissistic liar allison thinks she once was. there's the survivor's guilt, of course, that she associates with him, but she imagines her other siblings feel this way. but it's different than the guilt she feels about vanya, and easier to manage.
if anything, part of allison is amazed that ben would want to hang out with her. he knew the rumor, a manipulator, one of reginald's tools. allison's opinion of her past self is low enough that it's hard for her to imagine anyone wanting to spend time with her, if that was the only version of allison they knew. ]
no subject
Let's do shower and sauna.
[ what's the point of going straight back to the dormitory? there, allison would just lie there cooped up, worried about whether or not she'll get sick. no thanks. ]
Lead the way?
[ allison's smile becomes a little gentler, a little more encouraging. ben is a part of her past, but he's a better part of her past. he's not a reminder of the narcissistic liar allison thinks she once was. there's the survivor's guilt, of course, that she associates with him, but she imagines her other siblings feel this way. but it's different than the guilt she feels about vanya, and easier to manage.
if anything, part of allison is amazed that ben would want to hang out with her. he knew the rumor, a manipulator, one of reginald's tools. allison's opinion of her past self is low enough that it's hard for her to imagine anyone wanting to spend time with her, if that was the only version of allison they knew. ]