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Maybe because you look twelve.

[ Sourly: ] Or maybe because he's a jerk.

Besides, being young isn't really... enough of a reason.

Uh huh.

How is it not?

Because I'm not twelve. [ And she's technically not even the younger one, even if she looks much younger, but whoops secrets. ]

There's more to it than age, isn't there? Shouldn't maturity count for something?

How old are you, then?

The young are rarely a good judge of maturity.

Twenty-three. Why, how old are you? [ In a rare burst of audacity. ]

I'd like to think I'm a decent judge of maturity-- or at least, better than people give me credit for.

Twenty-eight.

I would have thought the same thing when I was young. But I was a twat.

See, we're only five years apart. That's not such a big difference, is it?

The point isn't that he treats me like I'm young. I-- know I'm young. [ Never stops feeling strange, saying that. ] The point is, he treats me like a child, and I'm clearly not, and it's frustrating.

I'd say yes except you're about the same age as my one girlfriend, so...

Who's 'he'?

Ha. [ A triumphant smile. (This really isn't helping her case, is it.) ]

Lior, my-- cousin. It's like he doesn't trust me to do anything for myself.

Ha indeed.

Are you unreliable?

No! That's rather a harsh thing to ask. [ Or maybe he's just touched a nerve. ]

It's an honest question, miss.

[ She hesitates, frowning. ]

Ellie. You can call me Ellie. I'm not unreliable, and that's an honest answer.

Ellie.

Is your cousin a pain in the ass?

He means well. I just... [ Make life difficult? ] I just want a little more freedom.

Is he your guardian?

Nooo. I'm twenty-three, remember? That makes me an adult. He... does look out for me, though. Him and my uncle. Because I was, um. Sick. For a long time.

Mentally sick?

[ A few solid seconds of silence before she shakes her head slowly. ]

More like... comatose?

Ohhhh. Well. Then he's probably just protective.

He could be protective without being condescending.

Well. Yeah, probably.

But people can be dicks.

I know, but I wish he weren't. It's not fair for either of us.

Life's not fair, miss.

Uuugggh, that's the worst.

No, and neither is death, but that doesn't mean I have to like it.

Snappy comeback.

So kick him in the balls.

[ Someone who understands! ] Thank you. He won't even give me a chance-- to prove I'm not.

[ Horrified. ] But I don't want to hurt him!

He'd survive.

Well, of course, but he'd hate me. [ Which is clearly an unacceptable outcome. ]

Nah, he'd get over it.

Are you sure? [ Because she's not. ] Would you get over it, if you were in his position?

Babe, I've gotten over waaaaay worse than a kick in the balls.

[nods sympathetically] I think some people just get in the habit, 'specially if they've been with you for a long time. S'really hard to convince them you can handle your own crap, because it's sorta about what they're used to doing, too.

[ Wellll. She considers it for a moment. ]

Do you think it'll work?

[ That makes a lot of sense. So much sense, actually, that she's quiet for a while. ] I guess I don't have a very good... um, track record. On that front.

[ Earnestly: ] But I do want to make it better!

Of taking care of yourself, you mean? Well, how else're you gonna learn, right? You gotta start somewhere!

Exactly what I thought! But he says he knows I can't take care of myself, and I guess right now he knows better than I do, but... [ It's complicated. She pulls a face, sort of a wrinkled nose, scrunched-up frown kind of thing. ]

He says whatnow? [Her "Oh bitch please" eyebrow disappears behind her bangs. It's a highly specific eyebrow thing tailored for moments like these.]

Look, I don't know you or your, uh, 'guardian' real well, but that sounds like some controlling bullshit right there. Are you totally dependent on him, or have you got some resources? Like cash or a job or a place of your own?

[ Startled! She's never even considered striking out on her own. ]

I, um. Technically, I have my own apartment? I also have a job, but he has to drive me back and forth, I can't drive.

[ She bites her lip. ] He means well.