[Tony nodded, looking- for once- patient while Era thought. He rose an eyebrow at the news.]
I'd start looking for a backup plan.
[His attention goes back to Era when she starts speaking.]
Okay this isn't going to work if you can't take responsibility for your own actions. You're manipulative, you're smart, and you can't use that self-depricating crap on me to get away with bullshit. I will treat you with the utmost respect when you're being honest with me and yourself but I won't tolerate it when you aren't doing the same to me.
No matter how this goes, I'll send you that literature. What I'm telling you that you need is a teacher or someone who can help you use the techniques and call you out when you're lying to yourself. We all need that. It's not just you. It's how the brain works to protect us when we've been through trauma. You'll get better a little with just the literature, but you'll get better faster and more effectively if you have someone, like me, you can help guide you through this.
That said, I'm not going to force this on you. I realize consent is clearly one of those keystone problems you're... let's call it 'dealing with'.. so, that's the situation. You get the paperwork either way. You can a) treat me with respect and be honest with me and I'll help you through your recovery from your trauma and learn how to use those techniques and social lessons. Or b) You continue to believe you're on this pedestal of hope, hurt your friends by manipulating them with tricks you've learned from your coping mechanisms, and don't contact me again for any other reason, ever. Your choice, take your time if you want to talk that over with someone and get back to me. Whatever you decide.
no subject
I'd start looking for a backup plan.
[His attention goes back to Era when she starts speaking.]
Okay this isn't going to work if you can't take responsibility for your own actions. You're manipulative, you're smart, and you can't use that self-depricating crap on me to get away with bullshit. I will treat you with the utmost respect when you're being honest with me and yourself but I won't tolerate it when you aren't doing the same to me.
No matter how this goes, I'll send you that literature. What I'm telling you that you need is a teacher or someone who can help you use the techniques and call you out when you're lying to yourself. We all need that. It's not just you. It's how the brain works to protect us when we've been through trauma. You'll get better a little with just the literature, but you'll get better faster and more effectively if you have someone, like me, you can help guide you through this.
That said, I'm not going to force this on you. I realize consent is clearly one of those keystone problems you're... let's call it 'dealing with'.. so, that's the situation. You get the paperwork either way. You can a) treat me with respect and be honest with me and I'll help you through your recovery from your trauma and learn how to use those techniques and social lessons. Or b) You continue to believe you're on this pedestal of hope, hurt your friends by manipulating them with tricks you've learned from your coping mechanisms, and don't contact me again for any other reason, ever. Your choice, take your time if you want to talk that over with someone and get back to me. Whatever you decide.