text; un: taka

[retsuden]

[ There has been a great deal of things that Sasuke has learned about in the few weeks he's been here just from talking to new people. All of them have been extremely confusing concepts, like therapy and the idea that people take care of children when they don't have anyone else to take care of them.

Some of these conversations where he's learned things have ended in more questions than answers. He could ask for more clarification from the few he's already made contact with, but the more possible answers he can get, the better. He thinks.

He hopes.

This could be a mistake. ]

How would you suggest someone improve their communication skills?

If your go to response is "talk to people", spare me. I'm only interested in more thorough answers.

Comments

private

[thinkfirst]

I'm sorry to hear it. Losing family like that is very difficult.

I hope you are prepared for this city to remind you constantly of your own loss. Not a pleasant warning, but a necessary one.

private

[retsuden]

[ UHHHHH BACK UP, NO ONE MENTIONED THIS PART YET. ]

Can you explain that further?

private

[thinkfirst]

Of course. It is based solely in observation, though the stories I have heard of the dream many people awoke here from corroborate what I have seen. Since I washed up on the shores here, I have been confronted with various parts of my own self and past that, frankly, I thought had been resolved. My mistakes, my greatest fears, events that have already occurred. My mother's choice to die rather than betray her ethics. The folly that lead directly to my predecessor's death.

I have been here but four months. It can only be assumed that this is a pattern, or else I have angered one of the gods here.

private

[retsuden]

[ Sasuke's reading and rereading this for a bit, because the very thought of it makes him want to throw up. It's like the genjutsu Itachi put him under, but amplified by 100, and there's so much more in his life to torment him with now outside of just his family.

And worse, if it's that way for everyone (and he highly doubts that Flynn's just pissed off a god), then it means it could happen to Sakura. That she could have to relive her failed attempt at killing him, or his attempts and near success at killing her.

He's definitely going to get sick. ]

I guess it's good to have the warning.

private

[thinkfirst]

I am sorry to have to warn you at all, but it is better to know. If you encounter such a thing and find yourself floundering, please contact me. It is hard to weather those things alone.

That is a lesson I am attempting to learn as well.

private

[retsuden]

I appreciate the offer. Normally I'd say to not expect me to take you up on it, but I've heard that that can ultimately make things more dangerous for everyone here.

private

[thinkfirst]

Yes, that is the other thing: we are in near-constant danger of isolating ourselves and eventually turning into monsters. I am working on a way to make sure that beasthood is not a death sentence, but it's not yet a sure thing, and the Hunters here are quite strict about putting beasts down, no matter their origin.

private

[retsuden]

That seems to be the way every culture likes to treat those they see as monsters. If there's anything I can do to assist in your work, let me know.

private

[thinkfirst]

I certainly will. In the meantime, I wish you luck on your communication skills. Know that I am always available to practice on, if you need something lighter to do.