#goldfinchfreehold

"Well. imaginary friends don't leave you - they sometimes get hard to see. If I set you down, will you be okay? We should clean up your arm."

Embarrassment flushes her as she realizes her arm is exposed, the self inflicted wounds public... she starts to yank down the sleeve "I.. no I mean... ignore the arm I can explain..."

"Cut yourself again and I'll eat your flesh!" Dirk yells down at the girl and GRINS "Blood Attracts me!"

She shakes her head, and pushes up her own sleeve. "These once bore a different shape."

"My friend prefers a very direct approach. He is terrifying. It is his nature."

The woman cries out "JESUS" and then... sees Dagmar's wounds "You... you did it too? I ...can't seem to stop. It's the.. it's how I feel like I have control?"

She nods.

"Two motivations helped - external..." A nod to Dirk. "And internal. To find other things that got me through the moment, through the minute, through the hour."

"Is.. is your friend serious about... eatting me?" A gulp

"He is very hungry."

"Okay, external factor achieved" She says gawking at him "So... things that got you through? Internally?"

"But sharks are not a threat if they are not driven. So - yes, motivation."

"Dirk, go see my mother for some food."

DIrk snorts "Dirk HUNGRY NOW" Playing the idot, he then pretends to be cowed "Okay. " And tromps off

"Is there a place we can talk? Is the kitchen safe? I like kitchens."

"Yeah yeah, my apartment has a kitchenette"

"I can duck."

"You'll have to. Come on, let

's hurry" She says, and pets Fluttermew saying "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to upset you"

She gently sets the girl down.

They sneak back in, hastily, up to her small apartment "it's over priced, small, and neglectedd, but it's home" She explains once they get in

Dagmar looks around.

"This is impressive. You got this place all on your own?"

"For now... they raised the rent again" She admits "I had help from my grandpa. He sends me a bit of money to my account now and then"

She frowns and nods. "It's hard. There might be openings at the apartment complex on Walnut - you know it? Big pool."

"Yeah. I tried but.. the prices there were even higher" No doubt as this girl is not kinain or kithain she was given the rates meant to discourage

"Would be nice to have a pool in the summer" She admits

With shame she bares her sleeve again, and cleans off her injury

Dagmar pokes around, finding tea or coffee supplies.

"You out of Care? You mentioned a grandfather."

Not kin, not kith - but then there's Fluttermew.

And that indicates a loophole, maybe

"I got ... kicked out by my parents. College didn't pan through. Grandpa trying to help but he's the only one. "

"It's tough, going solo. But you're doing really well. Like I said - look at this place. I can't handle a place by myself." She starts the water, and finds mugs for tea.

"You? You're kidding. You seem.. so ... invincible"

She pets in the Chimera with her good hand , the winged cat allowing it "I wish I were allowed pets here. They don't even let us have cats. Singular"

"Well, I'm a giant in dreams. Awake, I'm not that different from you."

"I got lucky. I got good foster parents, and they decided to keep me - even now, when I'm aged out, I have a place with them. But I know lots of folks who don't have that, who have to find ways to make it, and you are doing really well. I'm not bullshitting. It's the truth."

"You were in the system? Criirrist that sucks. I'm glad they're still there for you though that....." A smile "Is that what helped you stop cutting?"

She nods.

"They didn't like it. They cared about me, and didn't want me to hurt myself. It... I mean, some folks don't understand, how it helps."

"When things are just too much, and you can't even think of anything, and that first cut feels like a release."

"It SO does" The girl says

"In the moment, yeah."

"And then, there's shame too" A frown

"And then.. after, yes."

"I am trying to stop. I really am."

She reaches out, gently touching the girl's face. "I know. And it's hard. And the urge is there - I haven't in about two years, but sometimes? Man, sometimes I still feel the need. Sometimes I want to."

"But.... these days, it's less often. And it's easier to say no."

"Don't go back to it" she says "Please, I .. you don't know me, but I don't think I could stand the idea that heroic dream giants are unable to beat this. If you couldn't, what chance would I have?"