Hey there, look:

You can not let this one person get to you, all right? I know it's tempting to leave the whole thing behind, but that's not fair to you or anyone else who enjoys themselves and your company. Yes, I think they do enjoy your company, and stop beating yourself up like that. Come on, you're a big girl, you can do better than that. And no, that was not a crack about your size, give me a break.

And hey, I know all about worrying about what's "all in your head." Your feelings about the situation are real, that's what matters, and that's what you have to deal with.

Now: you can try to confront this person and figure out what's up--and if you've been misinterpreting them, that's all right. It's all right. Then you'd know.

Or if they are being as much of a bully then you say... honey, I'm a school teacher. A 7th grade school teacher. At a military base school. I know about bullies. The only way bullies get their power is by your responding to them in the way they want. I know, I know, what you want is to protect the other people involved--and I admire that, I really do. But the other people in this case I think are doing the right thing, and you might just be making things worse. So stop it. Leave it.

Confront the person privately, or don't if you can't bring yourself to, and publicly, just stay away. That's all you can do. I know it's easier said than done, but you gotta put this behind you, all right? Just... just try. Can you try?

And if you do ever decide to leave, it's gotta be not because of this person or anyone else. It's gotta be because you decided to move on for your own reasons. You can't let them win like that. It's not fair otherwise. Got it? Good.

And... on a completely different subject, no, I'm not upset that you decided to app her instead of me to that city place. She's a sweet girl, and I agree with you: it'll really do her some good to get out into a new place. Boy, though, since we've been sharing your headspace, she's turned me onto a world of books I never even knew about! I'm compiling a whole new list of books my students can write their book reports on...

No, no pressure to get me to a place where I can teach, though. Really. You've got enough on your mind, kiddo. Here, have a bionic hug sent your way.

*answers phone*

Morning this is Rebbecca...

... the taste of her cherry chapstick...

Been thinking of getting a cat.

*heating up leftover pie for breakfast*

Mun-san,

I'm glad you're starting to post again, I really am. I You won't get anywhere just twiddling your thumbs all day.

So I'm a little disappointed that you don't have time to put me in the event this weekend. You know what happens when I get bored, and this would have been a perfect opportunity to see how people would react. In fact, I remain quite unconvinced that you won't have the time. You're only truly busy in the second half of the week, after all.

And while I'm sure the responses to your silly "hiatus car" ideas would be interesting, if you test them on me in your absence, I won't even be able to observe anyone's responses to them. I'd much rather gather data than be the cause of it.

I will compensate you if you do allow me to participate in the event and avoid the "hiatus cars": You may have me "admit" to someone (perhaps Kyon-kun? I imagine it will be harder for me to see him once you move) that I miss Gabriella. What do you say, mun-san? Do we have a deal?

~Asakura Ryoko

Alright. The jury has returned and the verdict is unanimous. You're officially crazy. I'm really sick of being battered and bruised, so can we just get our heal on and get over it? Being stuck in bed isn't attractive on anyone. Me included--although I can see where you maybe got confused and probably misunderstood my superior fashion skills for the ability to make even horrible, horrible gut wounds look good.

Come on, lady. Let me off the hook. You've got that weird, big-eared magical guy in Wacko Wing World, now. Go torture him and I'll go get some well-deserved Buffy's-all-better snuggles.

Think before you app. That's my only advice, girl.

You were rather quick off the bat there, Miss Mun. Your motivation for doing those things that you want is quite impressive, but it rather saddens me that you're otherwise leaving me languishing about, filling -- or not filling, as the case very well is and certainly not may be -- my days in a decidedly pointless fashion.

Or perhaps it's simply that you only do those things that are easy? Tsk, Miss Mun. That's not a very good sign. You're ignoring your duties. If you were to stop this nonsense about 'losing my voice' -- why, where has it gone to, I wonder -- perhaps you'd do better. My, my, you've not been anywhere to lose it, so 'misplaced' is probably the better term -- not that you've looked to see if you still have it, or to check on whether it has somehow managed to walk away!

Stop playing that... game about, um... dragons. Could be punching dinosaurs. But I'm not. Your fault.

Also... finish that, uh, app.

You've  taken the first step down a slippery slope, mun.

I hope that you know exactly how to control your descent. Otherwise we're both doomed.

*Kicking back.* I love my job.

Dear Mun,

'ello, yes, me again. Yes. Hiiiiii. Right now, you? You're MAD.

But we both already know this so moving on with the next item, which is concerning the fact that I've been exposed to, incubated and am now exhibiting symptoms of a highly contagious, potentially lethal virus that's reached pandemic stages in the past-is-such-a-loose-term-really 21st century despite all efforts of your so-called "modern" medicine.

And this is on a ship. In. Space.

Right.

And everyone and their mum's about to go completely loony in a couple days and- HEY! Don't make icons of that. "Why"? Do you know how uncomfortable that looks? Look, I'm a good three inches taller than the Master, d'you really think he took the time to adjust the settings before manhandling my doppelganger into it?




Actually, I don't want to know the answer to tha- STOP STOP EIDETIC MEMORY STOP NO. THERE. RIGHT THERE. THAT INVISIBLE LINE? ALMOST CROSSED IT.



...

In conclusion. As you're so fond of saying, you're absolutely BATSHIT INSANE. But I believe you, just a little, when you say there's light at the end of the tunnel.

I'm giving you this chance. Make it count.

-D

Someone has sabotaged my medical bay.

Well, I didn't lose the ship...

Mun.

Hey, mundane.

ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR MIND?!

Who's going to want to play with a talking fire? I mean, yes, I'm wonderful company, I can appreciate that but. You know? Somehow I just... I just can't picture other people doing the same. Hey, even Howl doesn't appreciate me, and I keep his spark ticking over, if you'll pardon the phrase.  So I might not have his heart anymore, but I still keep that great hulk of a castle running about wherever he wants it. I even have it flying through the air now, do you know how much effort that takes? Know how much wood I need just to keep one tiny propeller running?

It's fine. I'm fine. Nobody appreciates a hard-working fire demon just trying to work an honest living in the current financial climate, I get it.

And hey.

You're not going to find a home for me.

Just build me a castle and put me to work. It's what I'm good for.

Now you know, unlike certain people around here, I don't like stickin' my nose into other people's business, but you've got to get that damn movie out of your head. You didn't even watch that part, anyway. See, not only is it distracting you from things you're meant to be doing, but when you're mulling it over, I've got to suffer through it, and trust me, I like thinking about it much less than you.

So cut it out and do something productive. That wasn't even our girl, anyway, and you know you can't even use it for some of your unholy scrap material because of the lighting. So drop it. Last warning.

...Missed th' holidays again. My bad.

That place? Fine.

You know I'll be having fun there, anyway. You saw it when the wall broke down -- too bad he isn't there anymore. Could have been fun, but I'm down with everyone else showing up.

...Mun...

You don't...have to be nervous.

Mukuro-sama's going to be there, too. It'll be alright.