runs_on_batteries | IC Inbox/ Interactions 2.0

[There's a pause, and a blink.]

Would it be so surprising if I were?

Well when your girlfriend and I have a heated argument and then you come in her stead, yes, I would be surprised if you have nothing to say to me.

[He smirked.]

Or should I just assume you love my company so much you couldn't resist the invitation?

An argument which began - be it intentional or no - as a result of your words and actions.

[By the tone of his voice, he's not mad about the fact. Merely pointing out how he'd understood the conversation as it had happened.]

That I should wish to spare her another argument so soon is surely no surprise.

Really? You think all that was solely because of me? You know it doesn't help her any to treat her like a child.. unless she really is six? Then Ardbert has some explaining to do.

She is a woman grown - I should guess her age as some twenty-five years - who has naught but six years of memory.

[Despite the way he leans into the latter half of the sentence, it's still not more than irritation as opposed to genuine anger, and much of it fades away again as he continues on.]

Of which she has spoken little and less, for the most part.

[Indeed, prior to Tony's mention of it he had not had any concrete details on how much memory she had to her name, save for 'less than would be expected'. Nor has it much been a topic that he has cared to delve too deeply into. It is her past, and should she wishes to mention it, he trusts her to do so.]

I will grant that it takes two to argue. But neither will I fault her for choosing to do so.

Ah! That makes sense then.

[Claiming to be six because that's how much you remember sounded pretty silly, but at least there was some logic behind it.]

I do, to an extent. One of the things I had to deal with when I was getting assistance dealing with my condition was being called out whenever I tried to blame someone else for something that was really my fault or my choice or when I wasn't seeing reality correctly. That's how mental illness works. It puts up barriers so you don't have to face hurtful truths. Unfortunately anything repressed like that eventually will come out in other ways- like Era's rage. That's not healthy.

She also doesn't seem to understand boundaries. She claims others don't respect hers, but she doesn't respect mine even while I'm helping her. I'll help her as much as I can, but I won't be lied to, manipulated, or abused while doing it. I believe she's learned some very classic manipulative, emotionally abusive tactics to protect herself. I don't think it's to be a bad person or intentionally to harm anyone, but to protect herself.

What do you think?

I am aware of how such afflictions work.

[He might not have any great experience with fixing any of the various ailments of the mind, true. But he's familiar enough with them to know how they work, if nothing else.]

Though I would ask as to what you see as manipulative, in her actions.

[Ah, that was the sticking point. He could understand why someone who cared about the girl would be offended by his claim.]

Well suck it up, Buttercup. I don't care if you are aware of how PTSD works. If we're talking about this condition, the conversation I had with Era, and working toward a solution that can help her then it's imperative that we understand each other's definitions on these terms and subject matters since that seems to be something she and I were having a lot of problems with. We're from very different worlds with very different values. So are you willing to hear me out and work on this to her benefit or are you just here to fight?

If I were here to fight, you would be more than aware of it. But by all means, continue with your explanations.

IC Inbox/ Interactions 2.0

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