[right][h2][color=8882be]Sirpa's Catharsis[/color][/h2][@Tlazolteotl][/right]

[color=808080][i]"There was annoyance, when you labeled Jay a Normie."[/i][/color]

[color=8882be]Sirpa thought about responding, then decided against it. Afraid of having her mind read again, she just fixed her gaze on the floor. Fragments of thoughts pushed their way into her awareness, anyway. It was frustrating for her words to be taken the wrong way again and again when she meant no harm. And it was irritating when it had a dramatic effect.

[i]Stop thinking.[/i]

Then, a warm blanket appeared. Sirpa's shoulder muscles relaxed a bit, and her mind softened. She found herself looking back at the being out of the corner of her eye. She listened as it spoke, and felt unexpectedly comforted as it tucked the blanket over her shoulder. She absentmindedly held onto the blanket at the hem with one hand. It was soft and warm to the touch.

Sirpa followed the being's gaze to the coffee shop windows. It was dark, a winter evening black as night. But in the light of the shop, she saw the fog. And something moving in it.

Sirpa blinked in a fleeting recognition. Something felt familiar about this, but she couldn't put her finger on it. Even so, it was unsettling. She pulled the blanket tighter around herself.[/color]

[color=808080][i]"Do you find comfort in fear?"[/i][/color] [color=8882be]The creature asked suddenly. The shape in the fog had left, but the discomfort it caused remained.

Sirpa looked in the direction of the being, but did not make eye contact. It was odd. She had been asked some version of that question before from other people. [i]"Is anxiety comfortable?" "Do you like being depressed?" "Why do you do this to yourself?"[/i] She didn't [i]mean[/i] to do "this" to herself. If she could stop, she would. But maybe the creature had a point. Discomfort felt familiar. But comfort in fear?

[b]"I don't know,"[/b] she said after a moment. [b]"...I don't think so."[/b] If anything, maybe she liked the comfort she could get amidst fear?[/color]