3rd sketch - [written - BACKDATED TO THE MORNING OF OCTOBER 21ST]

[sketchingideals]

[For the most part, it's been pretty easy to pretend nothing happened. No one asks, and Jeb kept to himself for the days following it. Unfortunately, that doesn't really change the fact that he was physically assaulted by someone he doesn't even know about a month ago

Comments

[pigtailed_loli]

[Nightmares...She has those too, nightmares about being hurt and nightmares about hurting others. Her handwriting is just a bit untidier than usual as she responds.]

Wake yourself up if you can, then go distract yourself a bit. Do some stuff you like.

[sketchingideals]

I've been trying to draw my feelings after having the nightmares out, but it hasn't worked just yet. The nightmares just keep coming.

[And without thinking, he adds:]

Maybe it's all my fault.

[pigtailed_loli]

Did you do something bad?

[The reply comes much later than it should, considering its short length.]

[sketchingideals]

I wasn't trying to, I really wasn't! I was trying to be helpful.

[pigtailed_loli]

Sometimes, bad stuff happens even when you have good intentions.

[A pause, then in smaller writing:] What did you do? You don't have to tell me if you don't want to. I just want to help sort this out. ♥

[sketchingideals]

[He's hesitant to tell her, but she wants to help. He'd feel bad if he didn't tell her something. There's a pause of Jeb's own, but he does respond:]

I approached someone, and they were really mad. I probably should have left them alone, because they were in a bad mood. But, I really wanted to help them, you know? They seemed so upset!

[pigtailed_loli]

[Oh. That's pretty different from her own situation. The reply comes pretty quickly, in larger and firmer handwriting.]

Then that's definitely not your fault! It's great you wanted to help someone! [She pauses as something occurs to her.] Um, how did you help them? Maybe they got offended at something you did? We haave tons of different cultures here, after all!

[sketchingideals]

I asked if he was okay.

[A simple answer, because it was the truth.]

[pigtailed_loli]

Then it's definitely his fault! If I find him, I'm going to [this part has been rubbed out, crossed out, scrawled over, etc. a few times] ask him what's wrong with him! You shouldn't blame yourself!

[sketchingideals]

[Part of him is really surprised by her response... and touched.]

He just seemed really stressed--if he was already having a hard time, I shouldn't have made it worse, right? Maybe he just wanted some time to himself.

But thank you! Your concern does mean a lot!

[pigtailed_loli]

But that's no reason for him to [What did he do, actually...?] whatever he did! Nobody should have to suffer from nightmares because they tried to help someone!

Anyway, don't blame yourself, okay? ♥ It'll just make you feel worse.

[sketchingideals]

I'll try not to. Thank you.

[He doesn't think they've met before. She seems really nice... he'd like to get to know her more.] My name's Jeb, by the way. What's yours?

[pigtailed_loli]

Anise Tatlin, at your service! ♥

[sketchingideals]

It's nice to meet you, Anise! I hope we can be friends. [She's doing a really good job at calming him down, and he appreciates it.]

[pigtailed_loli]

Yeah, we could hang out sometimes! I'll keep an eye out for you, okay? I hope you can sort this out! ♥

[sketchingideals]

I'd love to hang out--I'll keep an eye out for you, too. Thank you so, so much!