10th Partridge [(anonymous?) Voice/Action]

[my_yoke_broke]

[One thing that's always a bad idea to do: give a tree man something that is typically fine for humans.Case in point, just about anything they stuck him with during his stay with the Malnosso. Yeah, it's one thing to have to deal with cells-hello, unpleasant memories-but dealing with drug poisoning, too? This day couldn't get any more hideous for

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[savethelastchip]

[ One of the harder things for explaining, Ian. but optimism is one of his stronger suits, still, so he couldn't go without trying as much. ]

Everything that happens, it isn't the only thing that'll ever happen. Some of the worst things I've gone through are things I wouldn't be the same without; even though it's really hard, I have to be able to remember that. And... I believe that no matter how many people can be cruel, there are always really good people out there, too. [ He has confidence in such things. All of his friends qualify to that rule. ]

[my_yoke_broke]

[He listens very, very carefully. After a shaking little breath, he replies] I've always considered the bad things important to me, even if I woulda' changed them if I could.

[He shifts in the grass silently.]

The good people. How... do y'know if they're, y'know. Good?

How do y'know if you should trust them with everything?

[He's always believed in people's word. There are people back home he truly believes in. But... there are also people he never should have put his faith into.]

[savethelastchip]

I don't really know until I try. It doesn't always work out, but everyone should at least get one good chance. [ And if they mess it up but don't reach unforgivable levels, they're welcome to have second/third/fourth/infinite chances until things go one way or the other.

He just knows that he's always grateful to get his chances. ]

[my_yoke_broke]

That's true... I have friends I wouldn't've had otherwise, if I didn't give them the second chance...

[He smiles at himself, looking up in exasperation.]

Or the third one.

[savethelastchip]

[ And the smile is audible. KINSHIP. ] Not everyone can get things right on the first try, right?

[my_yoke_broke]

Ha, I guess not. If you knew me, you'd probably know I can't get things right until at least the fourth.

[Pain or no, he's calmed down considerably, at least.]

[savethelastchip]

Yeah, I know what that's like. [ ...probably mostly from when Shikamaru manages to accidentally offend Ino.

Man, it's been a while. ]

[my_yoke_broke]

... Uh. I'm Ian, by the way; thanks for talkin' to me.

[savethelastchip]

No problem. You sounded like you could use it. [ All the optimism. All of it. ] I'm Akimichi Chouji; it's nice to meet you.