LABYRINTHUM INBOX

[placation]

THE DOCTOR IS IN text / audio / video / action art credit code credit

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[placation]

Oh, I'm very aware. And I have little faith in any real change coming from it for that reason. Unfortunately her "guardian" is unable to even address the concern about potential extant recordings. The ethical violation will likely be forgiven by all but the ones affected by it, and my reputation as a bully will proceed. So it goes!

However, it is heartening to know that there are a few others able to engage with this objectively. I appreciate you reaching out.

[belheir]

I'm only able to interact with this objectively due to my unique position of dealing with this same sort of situation and not being affected by the situation personally.

I don't think I'd be able to interact in good faith if it had been someone I knew. I think I would have been just as upset as anyone else if it had been my own family or someone I knew.

[placation]

Well, at least you're aware of that.

[belheir]

Let me know when your office is back up and running.

I think I might like a visit.

[placation]

I'll be very honest with you, Kazuya. At this point, that's "if," not "when."

But if I do reopen, I'll let you know.

[belheir]

Don't sell yourself short.

There are still people who rely on the service you offered, as I've clearly seen. Don't tell me you're the sort to give up because things got a bit difficult because of a duckling.

[placation]

Oh, I won't give up. I never do, even when it's to my own detriment. The people who know me best would tell you that.

"To my own detriment" is the keyword. There are issues that predate this.

We'll see. I certainly haven't made a decision yet, and I won't until I've settled certain matters. Whether or not I formally reopen, though, my door will always be open to you.

[belheir]

So that's the type of person you are. You remind me of someone I know. Who knows if that's a good or bad thing, though.

[Probably not, if he's honest.]

How about we have a chat over coffee? I still owe you, so it'd be my treat. No arguments.

[placation]

Oh? Have you managed to collect some shards?

[belheir]

I may or may not be close to getting my powers back, if I'm not mistaken.

[placation]

See? It doesn't take long at all.

Sure. We can meet for coffee sometime soon.

[belheir]

[And because we're smt we gotta be weird-]

Then it's a date.

[placation]

Yuck. Don't say that again.

[belheir]

Sorry, it's out of my hands now.

Be sure to dress nice for our




Date.

[placation]

I'll reopen my counseling practice simply to learn the intricacies of your psyche that make you act out in such a way.

[belheir]

Usually I don't get a chance to speak for myself.

Or the other Bel demons are obnoxious and bad influences when I do.

[placation]

Who normally speaks for you?

[belheir]

My friends. Or my brother. Either or.

[placation]

Well, welcome to your newfound independence where you're able to freely speak for yourself.

[belheir]

Oh, I could before. I chose not to. What's the point if my friends know me best anyway? They pretty much knew exactly what I wanted or was thinking all the time, so there wasn't really any point to speak up in most cases unless I was directly addressed.

[placation]

That's a surprising lackadaisical attitude about your own life.

[belheir]

You think so?

I feel more touched that the people I care about would know me so well to know what I'd say in a situation without even having ask. They're important to me, so I'm grateful to be so important to them too.

[placation]

That's a very nice way of looking at it. The level of trust that you have in them sounds phenomenal. I'm surprised.

[belheir]

I would do anything for them. That's why I know if the situation had been about one of my friends, I wouldn't be able to stop myself from seeking vengeance.

Though they wouldn't do something like that in the first place. Well, maybe my brother would, but I'm more inclined to let him squirm and figure his own things out.

[placation]

Good to know...

Well, for your sake, I hope eventually at least one of them appears here.