v e n t (+16)

(9)

The leader spent a whole night by his desk, reading into the book Raven gave him. She mentioned that he should look at what he needs the most. With that in mind, the man read the contents page first and then headed to the chapter assigned to his chosen topic. His main interest was being able to speak to the girl appropriately and help her through asking specific questions. He was aiming for her confidence. After making her breakfast accompanied by a mug of green tea, they sat facing each other in the living room. Robin put the book beside him and began drinking his black coffee. Michelle tried to take a look at it's pearl leather cover, since she saw it the first time only when it was laying next to her sleeping father a day earlier. She didn't pay enough attention to it, though. The man was ready to share his newly acquired knowledge with his daughter.

- Sweetheart? - he asked her suddenly.

- Hm? - she looked up at him.

- Can I ask you a few questions?

- Fine - she shrugged, interested in their content.

Robin nodded, smacked his lips while side viewing his book and tied fingers of both his hands together in a soft grip.

- Could you tell me about your feelings from the day we went to the cafe together? - he looked over at her.

Myth frowned in confusion.

- I think we discussed it already, dad... - she reminded him.

- I would like you to repeat it, then. It's important - he explained.

The girl became a little skeptical of the direction their conversation is heading towards, but she didn't have a real reason not to trust him. She gave in and tried to remember any of her feelings back then.

- I felt fearful - she replied. - And numb.

- Just these two?

- Pretty much.

- Okay - Robin took a deep breath and began thinking again. - What do you think was the biggest cause of those feelings?

- People - she looked down.

- Elaborate, please.

- You know, their reactions... They just panic whenever I'm around. And I mean strangers. Those who know me don't do that - she spoke up.

- I see... - he accepted her answer. - Do you think they are treating you unfairly?

- No.

- No? - his eyes widened at that response. - So you think they are right about you when they walk away from you?

The girl took a minute to think and then nodded.

- Can you tell me why? - he got actually concerned.

- I don't trust myself - she answered.

- Then how did you manage to save so many lives without trusting yourself?

- I don't know...

- Okay, that's tricky - Robin massaged his nose bridge. - Let's do the basics, then. Tell me 3 things that you like about yourself.

Michelle silenced completely. The leader noticed that she wishes to think of anything and it causes her so many problems. Her eyeballs were staring at multiple close points on the table, searching for at least one thing inside her head. Unfortunately, she has spent so long hating herself and dragging herself down that she didn't even consider such thing as 'a good trait' of hers. The father felt even heavier, seeing the girl thinking hard of such a simple task. He sighed, realizing that she really needed those sort of questions.