[ Ah. Ruby wants advice on a subject that Penny doesn't feel fully qualified to give advice on. She's never had to comfort a friend over something like this before.
But... she has been the one being comforted before, and over something pretty serious as well. So can't she try to help from that angle? Penny is silent for a long moment before she speaks. ]
... When I was struggling with the virus it was scary, and difficult, and I was struggling so much. So I eventually started to think that there was no point in continuing to try. The virus was so strong, and I had already made so many mistakes, and I thought... if I'm having so much trouble resisting, if I barely even know who I am, if I couldn't even handle this as the Winter Maiden then... there must be someone else better suited it it.
[ Ruby, she had thought at the time, but no need to repeat it. Ruby was there. ]
But... you and Nora helped me remember that there was a reason to keep fighting - that's more to me than just the parts that are machine. And... that I had people that still cared about me, no matter what. I realized there's still more for me to do.
[ Penny reaches out, rests a hand on Ruby's shoulder. ]
Ange might feel like she wants to give up for a while. Maybe even for a long time. I don't think you can make her feel better. But if she knows that you're still there for, and that you still see a reason for her to be around even when she can't... then I think she can eventually start to feel that there's a reason for her to keep going, too.
no subject
But... she has been the one being comforted before, and over something pretty serious as well. So can't she try to help from that angle? Penny is silent for a long moment before she speaks. ]
... When I was struggling with the virus it was scary, and difficult, and I was struggling so much. So I eventually started to think that there was no point in continuing to try. The virus was so strong, and I had already made so many mistakes, and I thought... if I'm having so much trouble resisting, if I barely even know who I am, if I couldn't even handle this as the Winter Maiden then... there must be someone else better suited it it.
[ Ruby, she had thought at the time, but no need to repeat it. Ruby was there. ]
But... you and Nora helped me remember that there was a reason to keep fighting - that's more to me than just the parts that are machine. And... that I had people that still cared about me, no matter what. I realized there's still more for me to do.
[ Penny reaches out, rests a hand on Ruby's shoulder. ]
Ange might feel like she wants to give up for a while. Maybe even for a long time. I don't think you can make her feel better. But if she knows that you're still there for, and that you still see a reason for her to be around even when she can't... then I think she can eventually start to feel that there's a reason for her to keep going, too.