fiddlestick | IC Contact

I figured he didn't. Crow has a habit of really minimizing people hurting him. I mean it's nice he's so forgiving, but sometimes he needs to count himself.

I don't think she was being two-faced. I think part of her is happy for you. But the other part is jealous because you are moving on with- and you should!

😔💨

If she's so convinced of that, has she considered changing some of her behaviors that makes her a "bad person"?

[It'd be easy to say she's not a bad person but well, she sure is acting like one right now.]

Yeah. Which... ha, this probably isn't a surprise to you, either, but I do get it. Still, it's something we should both work on

Yeah. Listen, even I know it'd be at stupid at minimum to cut myself off from you guys just because it makes her self-conscious. This is something she needs to work through, and I am going to force her to work through it. Being gentle just got us here, and I'm about done with it.

And I've tried telling her that. She just acts like it's impossible. Like people are either good or bad, and everyone is "good" but her.

[A pause...]

Do you know that "it's not my wallet" scene from Spongebob? That's basically what it's been like, except instead of the wallet it's me using my feelings about myself as an example, and she agrees it's stupid when I say it but it's just ~true~ when she does.

Like I said.

Childish

Hehe, yeah not a surprise. You guys are two peas in a pod sometimes.

Right! Sounds like she could use a little tough love, so I'm supporting you there. Shaking her out of this funk of her would probably do a world of good.

Oh it is not good if you have to use a spongebob reference but...I know exactly what you mean. I wonder if she even realizes how bad she's acting right now...can't imagine she'd be okay with it if someone else pulled this stuff on her.

Good luck Rean. Got a plan when you get the address?

Haha, yeah. For better and for worse, I guess.

Step one is basically just telling her straight that she needs to go at LEAST get a job until next semester, at which point she WILL be re-enrolling, because I get being scared of this stuff but that's no reason to throw her future away.

Step two... I'd like to try to finally convince her the only roadblock that's left for her is her own stubbornness, but that's the part where I'm a little shaky.

Hmm...

Step one is pretty good. Step two...yeah, I can see why you're having trouble there.

Maybe try asking her why she thinks she's a bad person?

I do know why, but please don't tell anyone else I told you this. I promised her I'd keep it secret, but with things as they are...

She doesn't trust people. The way she says it, it's like she can't. And I don't really know what to say to that that isn't basically "get over it and try anyway."

Haha, don't worry Rean. Your secret's safe with me, I wouldn't even bring this up with Eren.

Wait, that's it?

How long as she tried before deciding she can't trust someone?

She said she doesn't even trust me. What's that tell you?

[...]

That you're her brother and not her best friend?

Though it sounds like she could learn not to be hurtful with her words. That might help with the trust problems.

But that's the thing. I am the closest thing she has to a best friend.

Is she YOUR best friend?

Honestly, if we're not counting Crow? Yes.

And I hope you can see why I'm not counting Crow.

Nope, sorry. We're counting Crow.

[You have no idea how hard it was for him to resist making a band joke right there]

Crow or Raina, who do you consider your best friend?

Okay, before I answer that, let me fire that right back at you.

Is Eren your best friend, or is there someone else who has that role?

Yes? We were best friends for years before we started dating. I don't think us becoming romantic really stopped our friendship.

Though if we can't count partners, I'd probably say Akira and Yusuke, maybe you and Crow too though we haven't known each other as long.

It's weird to me to try to compare how I feel about the two of them, because it's pretty radically different.

It's still easier for me to be candid with her than it is with anyone else, even Crow. And I'm working on that, but she's had 18 years and Crow's had a couple of months.

[...in both lifetimes, he realizes, but doesn't say.]

And you and Eren are up there, too, but again...

[Elliot is giving a Look at his phone, because he sure recalls Rean not calling his sister and his sister not telling him that she was moving to Recolle.]

Right, okay. Well, you're busy looking for Raina so there's not time to unpack all that...

Anyway, my point is, there's a difference between a sibling and a best friend. That's just how it is. It's two very different relationships, even if both are important.

To me, she's not treating you like her best friend. She's treating you like you're her big brother. Saying hurtful things like that, saying she doesn't trust you...

So I think you should treat her as your little sister. That's all.

...Unpack all of what?

[Elliot definitely would have a point there if he said as much, but even so, there's a little more there than what Rean's brought up before...]

I mean... I was going to, anyway. At the end of the day, she's family, and if I don't give her hell, our parents are going to give her way worse.

Don't worry about it!

[ANOTHER DAY. ANOTHER DAY]

Eheh, isn't that the truth. You can give her another chance before deploying that nuke option.

I'll hope the best for you okay? Have you had luck finding her apartment?

[mmmMMM he doesn't like the sound of that, but yes, another day.]

Thanks, I appreciate it.

Yuuki said she actually wound up over there once, so I've at least narrowed it down to a building and a floor. I'll take it.

[Sorry Rean he could've handled that better but he blurted it out and realized this was not the time to make Rean feel worse about himself. His confidence is a fragile flower as is. ]

Oh that's great! I was gonna offer asking my sister to do some hacking to find the address, but sounds like you won't need it.

Which, might be for the best. She might've gotten into some little sister solidarity mood and made both our lives harder instead.

[Also you know, it's illegal. But who cares about that?]

Ahaha, yeah... sounds like maybe we're dodging a bullet on that one.

And if Yuuki doesn't work out, I have a couple other offers, too. Ahmi and Derek think they could track her, so, you know. If all else fails, we're not dealing with dual sisters from hell.

Yeah...Futaba's really nice! She's just, well, a little sister.

[Which explains EVERYTHING]

Oh yeah, I know both of them. Between those three, I'd be surprised if you didn't find her.

And hey, Rean? You're a good guy and a good brother for doing this, even if she does get upset with you. Remember that.

Thanks.

I'm pretty sure I'll be in trouble for a while. But if this works out, it's worth it.

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