A June Tourist

[takingkarabusiness]

Who: Touristas, visitors, and friends.
Broadcast: probably not
Action: S.S. Tourist
When: June!

[ The ship! It mingles in a month! Happy summer, happy calibrations, let's boogie ]

Comments

[outstandingbalance]

Maybe. Do you want it to be easier? Because it doesn't have to be that hard.

[takingkarabusiness]

How do you figure?

[outstandingbalance]

He's not who you thought he was, and he lied to you. It wouldn't be unfair of you not to trust him after that—not in the way that you can continue a relationship. It's possible that this is too much for him to really correct. So if you want it to be easy, you can break it off. You can tell him that you'll support him changing, but you can't be with him.

[She tilts her head, studying Kara's face.]

On the other hand, he can't change the past and he can't change who he is. Bearing that in mind... he's doing something very hard, trying to get right. You can judge him for what he should have done, or you choose to judge him for what he's trying to do now.

[takingkarabusiness]

[ she watches natasha as she speaks, but when she brings up breaking it off, kara looks away and chews on her lip. it's clear that's where the conflict lies ]

It should be easy and it's just not. So my options are break up or just forgive and forget?

[outstandingbalance]

I didn't say that. Your options are to judge him for who he's been and what he's done—what he's represented—or you can judge him for what he's trying to do and who he's trying to be now.

And I'm saying that neither of these is wrong, but one is easier than the other.

[takingkarabusiness]

I wish Alex were here. She'd probably give the same advice—or tell me that he's not good enough for me, or I'm being way too harsh.

My best friend just left. Barry's here but it's not the same... as well as we hit it off, we don't know each other that well.

Right before he told me, he said he couldn't imagine what he'd do if I left and he stayed here. I told him the same thing. It's still true and I'm still mad. I don't know how to have both of those feelings at the same time.

[ it might be as vulnerable as Natasha has seen Kara. The tone has certainly shifted from one of judgment to one of fear—she doesn't want to be taken for a fool but she doesn't want to be left alone ]

[outstandingbalance]

Let's assume she'd think he's not good enough for you. As a sister, seems like her job. [Natasha offers a slight smile as she says it. If she's not sure how to deal with this sort of dilemma, she hides it well enough.] Be mad. You're allowed to be mad about something like this.

[Natasha could almost laugh at herself for what she says next. But she doesn't have to represent her own advice to give it.]

You're allowed to have feelings like that. Let yourself have them. You wouldn't be fair with yourself if you tried not to be mad.

But it wouldn't be fair to either of you if you're going to stay mad.

[takingkarabusiness]

[ she smiles a bit at Nat's comment about Alex. it's true, but Alex is also always ready to kick her ass (metaphorically) ]

That seems like sound advice.

[outstandingbalance]

Believe it or not, I have that sometimes.

[takingkarabusiness]

Oh, I know you do. I can have good advice, too, I just never seem to follow it.

[outstandingbalance]

Luckily, following your own advice isn't a requirement to having a good point.

[Or else Natasha would be out of luck.]

[takingkarabusiness]

It's kind of the hero way, huh.

Anyway, thanks. I'll figure something out, and it'll probably involve talking to him.

[outstandingbalance]

Right call. Maybe after you beat up the heavy bag a little more?

[takingkarabusiness]

Better it than him, I guess.

Maybe we could print out his face at put it right on there.

[outstandingbalance]

We probably could. You'd have to cover it up before he sees it, though. Men are sensitive about things like that.

[takingkarabusiness]

Weirdly, I think he'd understand. Which means I wouldn't want to do it.

[outstandingbalance]

It's also why he's a keeper.

[takingkarabusiness]

I really... [ it's hard for her to admit to herself, let alone natasha ]

I've never had a lot of luck... or interest, I guess. But he's different. It's why it's so hard. It feels like a big risk.

[outstandingbalance]

I'm sure it does. [Natasha does not bring up that her own luck with relationships hasn't been all that spectacular. Maybe Natasha really shouldn't be giving advice here.] That's also why you're willing to take the risk, though. Unless I miss my read.

Opportunities for romance don't really come along every day for you.

And I'm not just talking about people whose noses you don't break.

[takingkarabusiness]

Well, it's a plus.

But it can't be the only reason I don't break up with him.

[outstandingbalance]

How about shared life experience?

[takingkarabusiness]

Well, some, anyway.

But trust has to be there too.

[outstandingbalance]

So. What's the path to him regaining your trust?

[takingkarabusiness]

[ she thinks about it for a moment ]

I don't know.

[outstandingbalance]

Maybe think about it?