Theater Kid's March Comes in Like a Lion

[thestarknows]

⭐ Who: Junna Hoshimi... and you!
⭐ When: Throughout March!
⭐ Where: In Yumemigaoka!
⭐ What: March catch-all!
⭐ Warnings: Junna's grappling with some heavy stuff, so... threads could get into parents not being great, some homophobia, and other things. There's also some implicit sleeping together (nothing NSFW though) in the Lisa and Junna thread, if that's a thing you prefer to avoid!

Comments

[thezekeinator]

You made a couple of bad calls, and stuff happened. That's life. You're forgiven. [Yes, it absolutely is that easy. Zeke shrugs.] I'm not telling you to forget it or act like it was okay, but you should forgive yourself and move forward. You can't change the past, but it should've told you a couple things about how you might want to change your present and your future, yeah?

[Right to the heart of the matter, because if Zeke's tired of one thing, it's beating around the bush. He might not be a therapist, but he's learned a lot from them.]

[thestarknows]

It's easy to say I should forgive myself, but I'm having trouble getting there. I've got an appointment with a therapist for Thursday but...

[She lets out a sigh.] I'm not sure how to look at people. Or--or explain, or what I should say. I don't know. I know it's blaming myself still.

[thezekeinator]

You were in a bad place, and you're working on getting better.

[Overthinking sure didn't help you stay out of this mess, Junna. Now's not the time for it.]

It is okay to admit that, and if anyone has a problem or thinks worse of you because of that, it's on them and not you.

[thestarknows]

I... yeah.

[He's right. She looks down and nods. She's quiet for a second.]

I know no one here's going to really be disappointed in me. Or--or, not... you know. It's hard to not worry anyways, but I'm trying.

[thezekeinator]

You just keep telling yourself what you know, when some part of you wants you to believe anything false. We've all got your back.

[Profound frustration that this keeps happening is not to be mistaken for any level of frustration with the people who go through it.]

Though on that note, take your time for yourself, but I'm not sure being alone too much is good for you.

[thestarknows]

Yeah... yeah. I'll remember it. And talk to people more. Even if it's hard.

[She exhales, then, at his observation. Being alone isn't doing her any favors. He's right.

But--]

I know. I'm... working up the nerve.

[thezekeinator]

Then how about we go grab some food or something? My treat, what with having a paid job outside the DU and all.

[As ever, one must wonder how Zeke keeps going with so much energy -- but you know the old saying, "Get a job doing something you love and you'll never work a day in your life."]

[thestarknows]

[Junna blinks with surprise -- she didn't quite expect the invitation, but...

Actually, that sounds great. She shouldn't mention what she's eaten so far, but it's been "bland cafeteria food" and "a granola bar." She smiles, then.]

That... that sounds great. Thank you, Zeke-san.

[thezekeinator]

[If Zeke knows one thing about Dreamers, it's that they're susceptible to food.]

[Including himself, of course.]

So what sounds good? I'm not parked far from here if you want to hit the road for someplace.

[...at some point, he needs to figure out if he's really the only Dreamer around here who both owns and drives a car.]

[thestarknows]

[Junna definitely can't drive. Alas.

She blinks -- then she brightens up a little, because she's not had a chance to ride in a car in awhile. She considers, even, what might be nearby in driving distance.

But, she settles on an old comfort food:] Ramen?

[thezekeinator]

[Zeke snaps his fingers, which of course involves a few random waves of his hand followed by a sudden downstroke to make it all Extra.]

Now that I know a place for. Little bit of a trip, but you won't regret it. Up for it?

[thestarknows]

[The over-the-top hand gesture gets a smile out of Junna. Leave it to Zeke.]

Yes, please. You've got me curious.

[thezekeinator]

Onwards!

[Brandishing a pen as if it's a weapon, Zeke leads the charge!]

[To his car! This didn't deserve anywhere near the dramatics! Which is pretty much the Chaosbringer way of life!]

[thestarknows]

[It might be overdramatic but it gets a laugh out of her.

And besides, she's a theater kid at heart. She follows along.

To the ramen!]