Texting’ With Ma Bestie

[Cadence]

Cadence had just had a very successful trip to her therapist. She had been glad to have a session that focused on a lot of positives. Together, her and her therapist had been working on building some social skills, particularly those that involved making friends and meeting new people. She had tried many of those techniques the day before, and they had worked. Cadence was very happy, but underneath that there was a worry that she had expressed as well. Cadence knew she could be “a lot” and was hoping that wouldn’t push Ilesha away. They hadn’t talked since the day before when they had met, but Cadence sent a message now, reaching out to her new friend.

Heya! I just wanted to say it was very nice to meet you yesterday! I had a lot of fun! Hope all is well.”

[Ilesha]

It was great meeting you too. Doing alright, working on making these seals stronger with earth without making them brittle or hard. So draining.

Cadence probably didn't have any clue what she was talking about, but she left it open for questions. Cadence was socially anxious and Ilesha knew something about that. She didn't want to pressure her into a conversation, but it was there. She was proud she'd reached out. That was probably a big step.

[Cadence]

Cadence really had no idea what Ilesha was talking about, but she made a guess.

I don’t know what any of those words mean lol! You’re a mechanic though right? Something to do with cars - and you’re using earth to fix it? I’m not very good with earth myself. Better with water and air.

[Ilesha]

Ilesha chuckled. A mechanic, not really. I do work on motorcycles. But I'm a mechanical engineer. Working on a top secret project for the CCD trying to use the metallurgy science I know and combine it with this power to make people safer.

That wasn't too telling, and it's not like the armor she was working on was totally top secret, it was just her project at the CCD and her dissertation for her doctorate. But the reason she was working at the facility.

[Cadence]

Sorry! Hope I didn’t offend at all! Sounds like an interesting project - might be cool to see some of what you do - not the top secret stuff obviously.[ cadence was actually serious. She was always interested in new things. I just got back from my therapists. Talked a little about you - hope you don’t mind. Nothing personal - but mostly how I’ve been trying some of the techniques I’m learning to make friends. Kind of embarrassing that I didn’t really know how to do that…

[Ilesha]

No offense. I am sorta a mechanic, just not by career. Like I said I like working on motorcycles. Be happy to show you some of the stuff at the garage. And everyone has their short comings. I'm not exactly people friendly all the time. I like the machines better most days. Kallisti was hard for me the first twenty ... thousand times.

[Cadence]

Cadence chuckled at her response. Lol! Thank you for understanding that means a lot. I’ll have to come to the garage sometime. I like learning about new things. Can’t do any hands on stuff though. Recording an album and a concert tour coming up. Gotta save my hands for the ivories.

Cadence paused a bit before sending another message. Hey there is something else I wanted to bring up. My counselor is encouraging me to be more open with my struggles and it’s seeming to help. So I wanted to tell you this too. I know I can be a lot sometimes with all my issues and part of me is really scared that I’m gonna screw this up and scare you away. I just…tell me please if I am. So I can get better.

Cadence remembered what her therapist had told her. She had made really big strides yesterday and that was brave of her. Cadence really wanted to keep this momentum going.

[Ilesha]

Ilesha smiled to herself. Cadence was doing well to branch out. And it helped her too, maybe together they could overcome whatever their issues where.

[font=courier new]No worries and it's mostly the power that we'd use, no hands involved

[Cadence]

Cadence smiled. She had found a good friend. At least one who understood what she was going through.

On more thing since I’m feeling brave right now, and then I’ll get less intense i promise. My trauma…I want to share it. I think it will help me deal with it. It’s not a fun conversation and I’m going to cry - a lot. But I feel safe with you and sometime…not now - I’m not ready yet. I might want to share that with you - in person. If you don’t mind.

[Ilesha]

Anytime you want. Maybe we can get together at one of our places and make it a movie night or something. So you can cry in private if necessary.