[Weird dance. Between that and the genuine confusion apparent in his response, OA can't help but release another amused little huff of breath.]
That wouldn't have occurred to everyone. Of those to whom it did, only a few would have decided it's their responsibility.
[She says it gently, voice soft and even, but the set of her brows is a little wistful, a little sad. She knows. She knows because she's been in far greater distress and found herself thoroughly ignored.]
Indifference is easier. It's safer. No risk if someone using you, hurting you. No risk of getting tangled up with someone who's going to follow you around asking uncomfortable questions.
[She shoots him a wry glance, a crooked smile.]
Indifference is an action, but it doesn't feel like one. All you have to do is lean into the choice to do nothing. Look away.
[OA sounds increasingly distant as she slips into uncomfortable memory. This is a sore spot, one her mind worries at like a tongue at a sore tooth. She understands it, has compassion for it, that need to protect oneself by averting one's gaze. One person can only bear so much. Part of her is still on that road though. Part of her is still on the bridge. Nobody is stopping.
She pulls herself back to the present with a sharp intake of breath.]
Kindness is an action too. People talk about it like it's a feeling, and there can be one, but that isn't what kindness is. You were kind; you can own that.
no subject
That wouldn't have occurred to everyone. Of those to whom it did, only a few would have decided it's their responsibility.
[She says it gently, voice soft and even, but the set of her brows is a little wistful, a little sad. She knows. She knows because she's been in far greater distress and found herself thoroughly ignored.]
Indifference is easier. It's safer. No risk if someone using you, hurting you. No risk of getting tangled up with someone who's going to follow you around asking uncomfortable questions.
[She shoots him a wry glance, a crooked smile.]
Indifference is an action, but it doesn't feel like one. All you have to do is lean into the choice to do nothing. Look away.
[OA sounds increasingly distant as she slips into uncomfortable memory. This is a sore spot, one her mind worries at like a tongue at a sore tooth. She understands it, has compassion for it, that need to protect oneself by averting one's gaze. One person can only bear so much. Part of her is still on that road though. Part of her is still on the bridge. Nobody is stopping.
She pulls herself back to the present with a sharp intake of breath.]
Kindness is an action too. People talk about it like it's a feeling, and there can be one, but that isn't what kindness is. You were kind; you can own that.