synopsychic | (no subject)

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We've lost a lot of people lately who could either de-infiltrate people or bridge network divides, if not both. They're both useful things to have more of around, so if anyone wants pointers on either, I'm willing to help. This includes some of the building blocks, but not all.

[He wouldn't have taught Kanji the intrusive stuff, and that still stands.]

[PRIVATE to Helena's close CR, double-protected]

Guys, I... I think Helena-san's gone again. I can't find a sign of her anywhere, and she's not responding.

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"Likely the latter," Anafiel admits, with great annoyance. "But then, anything that does not align with his values is lesser."

"The annoying thing is I'm honestly not sure he does think opinions other than his are lesser. Hard to comprehend, sure, and he's basically given up on trying, which isn't going to make anyone who hasn't known him for a long time want to try in return. But 'not worth understanding' isn't the same as 'lesser in value.'"

Malik has his moments of good insight, and he did get unfairly stomped on for being the only person around who knew much of anything about any Muslim culture at all, even if it wasn't Nova Venezia's particular brand. That just makes his hard-headed moments all the more frustrating.

Anafiel frowns. "You have known him longer than I," he admits. "Mayhap you might be right."

"Kanji had a phase where he was actively pushing people away. I was about the only person who never bought it - me and his mother, but parents are kind of supposed to do that, when they're doing their jobs right." Kanji got a good pair right out of the gate, too, but that's another matter entirely.

"Sometimes Malik-san reminds me of that. He tried to reach out with what he knew and had it slapped back in his face, and that's discouraging. But... there comes a point where if you don't make the effort, no one's going to care to meet you halfway."

By those standards, Anafiel thinks, only his mother had done her job right. But then, he'd long known that.

"Exactly," he says. "It is not always an easy lesson to learn, but it is a necessary one."

"And you can't just say 'you need to get over yourself' to someone when they're in that mindset. It is what he needs to do, but saying it like that would probably just make him dig in harder."

That's how it probably would have gone with Kanji. Fortunately for everyone involved, Naoki never tried.

"Oh, I know," Anafiel says drily. "Despite my occasional mistake in assessment of character, I full well know how to... guide people."

"You definitely seem like you'd be a better teacher than most of the ones I've had, but that's not exactly saying much."

Anafiel shrugs. "'Twould depend on the subject, mayhap. I would teach you anything I might know, however."

Anything Anafiel might know? Naoki's pretty sure that's a lot, even if there's a chance he wouldn't want to learn all of it for himself. He's also pretty sure that's not something granted lightly.

"I can guarantee you wouldn't be the worst teacher I've ever had - Yasogami only had one worth anything. Whether I ever take you up on it or not, and sooner or later I probably will for something, I appreciate it."

Anafiel nods. "You have been a good friend," he says, quietly, "and one of sense and conscience. I think, mayhap, that I might trust you."

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