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[heyboss]

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[heyboss]

"No," he tells her. "No, Andrew was a special case. He was - violent. He hurt guards, other patients, and even me a few times. He refused to believe the truth of what he had done. They were going to lobotomize him. Against our wishes."

He looks down into his tea. "It was a last ditch effort."

[reviewstarlight]

Andrew. So that patient's name was Andrew.

Nana pauses for a moment, taking a sip of her tea, before continuing.

"My Starlight was a special case as well. We're the same in that way. We'd both do anything to try and help the people we care about. So really, there's no reason why you're a warden and I'm not."

[heyboss]

He looks up. "I know that's what you think, Nana, but it's about the harm caused. And in my case, it didn't work. Andrew - he regressed. Or he - chose to. And I let him make that choice. I had to."

[reviewstarlight]

"You didn't have to," Nana says, with a shake of her head. "You chose to. You could always try again. You don't...you don't give up on the people you're trying to protect like that."

[heyboss]

"No. He chose it, Nana. Because I gave him the choice."

He sips at his tea, then takes the teabag out and adds sugar. "I didn't give up on him. I did what I could to help him, then I did something else."

[reviewstarlight]

"If one of the choices hurts him like that, then it's a terrible choice," Nana says, without any hesitation. "You're a psychiatrist. You're supposed to protect your patients."

[heyboss]

"I didn't know which choice hurt him more," he says. "And isn't that what you did for Niji?" You wanted to save her, to make choices for her, but you had to weigh those options. Are you a terrible person for taking her out? Of course not. You're kind and compassionate. But you were showing her love when you put her back. Even if that was hard for you."

[reviewstarlight]

"There's got to be a better way. I just...I want to protect my friends from all the hurt in the world. I know you do also. So to hear you say that the better way still made him suffer...I know this sounds stupid, but it shouldn't be that way."

[heyboss]

"Seeing people get hurt, people you care about, is hard, Nana. But it's part of life. It's the way that things have to be. There has to be balance in the world, or life is not worth living," he explains softly.

[reviewstarlight]

Nana remains quiet, thinking over Sheehan's words, before,

"I'm not gonna quit the revue back home. I don't know if I can. But I also don't know what I'd ask for if I won."

[heyboss]

Sheehan nods. "I think that's a good place to start. What would you want, if you win? Something that helps your friends - actually helps them - if that's what you want?"

[reviewstarlight]

Nana nods.

"I'm not gonna ask for an even better Starlight. Nothing will top that play in our first year for me. But that's...okay, I guess." She says the words hesitantly, as she herself isn't entirely sure that's okay.

"But I've always wanted to help my friends. This won't change now."

[heyboss]

Sheehan's smile is warm. "No, nothing will top that play. And nothing may feel the same. But you can have different experiences. Good experiences that may move you. You and your friends."

[reviewstarlight]

There's a long, quiet pause before, "I hope you're right."

[heyboss]

He takes a drink. "I promise you, Nana. I promise you that, with time, it will."

[reviewstarlight]

Nana takes a drink of her tea as well, enjoying the taste. After a moment, she asks,

"Um. Is there anything else you want to talk about?"

[heyboss]

He spreads out his hands. "You came to ask me about my life. If there's not, then no. You can enjoy the tea. I can put on some music." He stands up. "Oh! Have you heard of the Beatles?"

[reviewstarlight]

"I have," Nana says, with a little nod. "My grandma really likes them."

Sorry, Sheehan.

[heyboss]

He turns to her, hands on his hips. "Your grandma? Fine. Alright. What do you listen to?"

[reviewstarlight]

"All sorts of stuff? Musicals, idol groups, pop stars...I don't really have a favorite band if that's what you're asking."

She shrugs slightly before, "I can pull up one of them on my phone if you want to listen."

[heyboss]

He picks up his cup and takes it to the kitchen. "Yeah, I'd like that. Lay it on me."

[reviewstarlight]

Nana picks up her phone, typing a few things in, doing a little search before, "Here. This was a pretty popular song when I was younger."

And she adjusts her position so that Sheehan can watch the music video. Welcome to j-idol groups, there are literally like sixteen of them on stage.

[heyboss]

He looks over her shoulder and then joins her at the table again.

And he watches.

And watches.

Maybe it will make sense in a few seconds, he keeps telling himself, but there's no way to keep up with anything that's happening!

"Ah," he says with a nod. "I - hm."

[reviewstarlight]

Nana's humming along with the music, nodding her head in tune. There's a moment where she looks over at Sheehan...

and ah. Grandpa doesn't really like this sort of music, does he.

"I can find something different for us to listen to next."

[heyboss]

"No, no," he assures her. "No, this is just fine. I just - don't know what I was expecting. Those skirts are really short, aren't they?"