Practical Philosophy, Thursday

[endsthegame]

"There is something about this place," Ender said, "That inspires fear."

They didn't meet on the lawn this time. Instead they were inside, in the Danger Shop, in a perfect recreation of Fandom's lawn on a very nice, sunny day.

"Do you feel scared?" he asked. "Does the dread of that place get to you? If so, how? If not, what does this place look like to you? Does it offer opportunities, or only terrible things?"

He reached for his bottle of water.

"I don't think the island was eager to dive into these old nightmares," he mused. "I wonder why it has."

Comments

Re: Listen to the Lecture

[always_someone]

That reply, at least earned a soft laugh out of Norman.

"I guess it would be," he allowed, and fell silent again, just for a few moments, while he thought. "... And this is my last class this week, I wouldn't be missing anything if I were to take just a few days, maybe..."

God, he wanted to take a few days. Right then, in that moment, he wanted nothing more than to just go home. And he knew that wasn't what he needed. This place had grown on him. Or maybe it had helped him grow. Not... not necessarily in easy ways, but it was there.

Re: Listen to the Lecture

[endsthegame]

"Take that break," Ender said quietly. "No one will blame you for it, and you clearly need it."

He glanced to the door. "Think it over," he said. "We have a few minutes before Ben gets here."

Re: Listen to the Lecture

[always_someone]

Another little nod.

And then a quiet, "Thank you."

Ender was right; Norman desperately needed to not be here right now, if only so that he could sleep at some point this week. He was still going to worry about whether this was going to have to become a habit, how many more times the island was going to be overrun with traumatized dead. But that was a bridge he'd cross when they came to it, if they came to it.

For now, Baltimore was sounding pretty great.

Re: Listen to the Lecture

[endsthegame]

"I'm your teacher," Ender said, rising to his feet with a faint smile. "I think making sure you're all right is part of my job."

Re: Listen to the Lecture

[always_someone]

Norman allowed himself a bemused smile as he compared that statement to some of the teachers back in Blithe Hollow. Mrs. Henscher had enthusiastically rallied the town in an attempt to have him burned alive once, accusing him of necromancy.

"... Sometimes I forget that's what teachers are there for," he settled on. "I'll take a minute and think it over."

Re: Listen to the Lecture

[endsthegame]

"If you decide to come along, you can meet us outside the door," Ender said. "It's your decision; no one knows your mind better than you."

He looked up at the sky. "Just take care, no matter what," he settled on.

And then he walked away.