05. video

[shatterings]

[ Naminé hasn't posted on the network in a while, but her expression as the feed flickers on is one part curious, one part unsure. ]

It's... probably a strange question, but... does anyone have any advice on, um, breaking out of your shell?

Comments

[video]

[lieutenantantichrist]

[He's just sharing his wisdom and philosophy. ...it may be frightening.]

You might. But being tough and crazy with a few out and out enemies is a whole lot better than being the wuss everybody shoves around.

[video]

[shatterings]

[ Definitely frightening. She's also looking even more unsure now. ]

How do-- um, I'm not sure I can be either.

[video]

[lieutenantantichrist]

[Blake goes on like a patient mentor.]

Okay, let's start somewhere else. Tell me what you do when somebody disrespects you.

[video]

[shatterings]

[ Approximate expression: see icon. ]

Well, I... I'm not sure. I suppose I don't do much of... anything.

[ Girl's got a lot of deeply rooted issues. ]

[video]

[lieutenantantichrist]

[Blake gets a look of satisfaction, like when you're poking around in an engine and you find the thing that's clunking.] Well there's your problem. You can't let anybody give you crap, or else they'll walk all over you.

You have to get in their face and say, hey! Asshole! Back off if you know what's good for you!

[video]

[shatterings]

[ ... well, at least he makes it sound easy. ]

I'm not sure how exactly I would... go about that.

[ Or if she's even capable of it, honestly. ]

[video]

[lieutenantantichrist]

It's simple. Here, like this. You square your shoulders and stand up straight, and you look them straight in the eye.

[He gestures encouragingly.] Go ahead. Try it.

[video]

[shatterings]

[ Jumping right in so quickly...! Naminé's still unsure, but she squares her shoulders like he says--as best she can--and clears her throat. ]

Back... back off? If you know what's good for you?

[ It's... not very convincing. ]

[video]

[lieutenantantichrist]

You're not asking them, you're telling them. Like this:

[He puts and edge of command in his voice.]

"Get out of my face, asshole!"

[video]

[shatterings]

[ She jumps a little bit at that, but takes a deep breath and nods. ]

Um... G-get out of my face... person.

[ She's half-Disney, it'll be a while before you can get a curse out of her. ]

[video]

[lieutenantantichrist]

Come on, like you mean it. Think of somebody who's always trying to push you around and tell them,

[His volume raises,]

"Get out of my face!"

[video]

[shatterings]

[ That's not too hard to do, honestly.

Quietly, at first: ] Get... [ And then a little louder: ] Get out... of my face!

[video]

[lieutenantantichrist]

[There we go, now we're getting someplace.]

Louder!

"Back off and get lost!"

[video]

[shatterings]

[ Very slowly, but it's progress! ]

Um... Back off... a-and get lost!

[video]

[lieutenantantichrist]

[Blake breaks into the broad, approving smile of a teacher at a pupil who is getting the hang of it.]

There you go.

Never be scared to push back. Half the fight is letting them know you're not easy pickings.

[video]

[shatterings]

I... I'll try. To push back.

I... really did okay?

[video]

[lieutenantantichrist]

Yeah, you did. All you need is practice.

What's got you asking about this in the first place, anyway? Is somebody giving you crap?

[video]

[shatterings]

I-I'll practice, as much as I can.

[ She shakes her head, frowning just a bit. ] No... not here, but back home, I... I didn't have the best experiences with other people. And it's a bit... difficult, to reach out to others.

[video]

[lieutenantantichrist]

Other kids? Or adults?

[Didn't have the best experiences. Yeah, that says a lot. Kids, they always get the worst of it.]

Look, whoever it was, if they show up and start giving you trouble, just let me know.

I'll take care of it.

[video]

[shatterings]

Well... adults. Um, there were only a few exceptions where I come from, but until this world, I'd never met many other kids.

[ She's surprised, visibly, and for a while she's speechless. ]

I... thank you. If it... if it doesn't trouble you.

[video]

[lieutenantantichrist]

[Blake's attention sharpens.]

They kept you isolated? What about school?

[video]

[shatterings]

I never had the chance to attend.

[video]

[lieutenantantichrist]

They're not allowed to do that. Didn't the police come by?

[video]

[shatterings]

There... weren't any police, or anything similar to that.

[video]

[lieutenantantichrist]

There weren't any? Where the-- where were you?

[Blake's starting to think she was part of one of those weird half-off-the-grid redneck enclaves in the middle of nowhere.]