Well it's not as if people want to wear their trauma on their sleeve. I often try to make a joke about mine. As if laughing enough about it will make it funny and not ... pathetic.

[Apparently dream-walking Hawke is far more honest than she typically would be, because in person she is flippant and hard to pin down. She's half-honest and half-self mocking. This isn't the first time though she's felt like if someone else is sharing a dark moment, they deserve some vulnerability on the other end. It's a weird type of equality, but it's how she thinks.]

Oh I know her, but I think flirting in dreams is easier than flirting in person. [Hawke shrugs.] For her. I'll flirt everywhere I'm allowed. [It's fun and light and very rarely does it require her to follow through on anything serious.]

I suppose this whole empathy thing might put a damper on sex for people. [She rubs a hand through her hair.] Which is a right shame because if there's anything we all need in this stressful time it's casual sex.