Ashlyn

[undread]

Comments

[undread]

Hello again!

[waving a hand.]

Yes, it isn't awful. But I'm afraid the gown has seen better days.

[killies]

Hey.

As long as it's wearable, it's fine. A bit of grime is the least of our concerns right now.

[ ..................

...

hmm

.......

............. ]

You have, uh. Leeches on you. Still.

[undread]

Oh dear, how embarrassing. I planned on saving these for later, but it slipped my mind.

[she'll pop one off and squash it in her hand.]

You know, I thought so for a long time, but it couldn't be farther from the truth. I'm a proper lady, you know. I ought to dress like one. But I'm always getting blood and slime on my outfits...

[killies]

Why...

[ don't? save them? gross??? ]

Your clothes don't really change who you are, though. You can be a proper lady wearing anything, can't you? [ whatever a proper lady is. ]

[undread]

Not at all. Appearances are quite important. And besides, I wasn't born a proper lady, exactly. Not from one of those families, you know. So I really must put in the effort if I want to be taken seriously.

[killies]

Taken seriously by who? If people are judging you by your clothes they can't be that smart.

[undread]

Most people in the world aren't very smart. The vast majority of people are small and narrow-minded.

[killies]

Then why do you want them to take you seriously?

[undread]

One can exist in the company of others and be impacted by the views of society, or one can opt out entirely. Both are valid decisions, but I spent enough time doing the latter and it isn't to my liking.

[killies]

[ can't relate. ]

I guess that's the more common choice...

[undread]

It's brave to make a different choice. But it can be quite lonely, too. Don't you think so?

[killies]

Maybe for most people. I like being by myself.

[undread]

Good for you. I do mean that. It makes life so much easier, not to need anyone.

[killies]

It really does...

[ wistful ]

[undread]

I do love having people in my life, but lately, I think I have found - it would be easier, if I cared less about them accepting me. It would free me to think more of their well-being.

[killies]

Yeah. Sometimes people don't know what's best for them. It's frustrating getting lashed out at for things that are for their own benefit.

[undread]

[she nods immediately.]

Exactly! Sometimes people don't know what's for the best. People can be so closed minded.

[killies]

That's why being alone is better. Less people to worry about and whatever worrying you still do is easier.

It's not too late to change your ways. [ this is said so flatly. is it a joke. is it sincere encouragement. who knows. ]

[undread]

Maybe it isn't. I've been thinking about it more and more.

[killies]

It's easy to over-think stuff like that and still just get stuck doing what the situation calls for.

[undread]

Speaking from experience, then?

[killies]

[ she is not answering that. ]

[undread]

[she sees ashlyn go silent and just awkwardly goes silent as well blinking at her.]

[killies]

Things can just get chaotic fast. That's all I'm saying.

[undread]

...I know. All too well. The only person you can ever truly count on is yourself. Don't think I forgot that. It just means that I need myself to be someone who commands respect all the more.