The Photo Hut - Tuesday

[flamesburned]

Liz didn’t know what she was supposed to do. She had not considered the possibility that maybe she was in love with Steven but she had also made a promise that she was never going to act on it and then there was also the fact where she had a boyfriend who she also loved very much and who was currently away on another world and now after talking to Summer yesterday she realised she could potentially hurt two people she cared about very much.

So that morning she placed a rather short and panicked phone call to Dr. Lecter and then she placed another call , that she knew was likely never going going to be answered but if she could even try and reach him and explain what had happened and begin to apologise than maybe she could absolve some of her guilt. Once those calls were done, she began making preparations so she could head home on the weekend.

On top of everything she was already feeling, she was feeling even worse this morning, she had not slept at all last night with worry about Prompto and about Steven and what people could possibly be thinking about the whole thing, so maybe it was best that she was going to be returning home for a while. At least she could spend the morning working on her photo editing skills just so that when she met Steven and Marc on Thursday she would at least have some idea of what she would be working with and it was something to keep her occupied before class.

[the Photo Hut is open!]

Comments

[sharp_man]

After hearing Liz's frantic and disjointed message, Hannibal called her back, waiting for her to pick up.

[flamesburned]

Liz jumped when she heard her phone ring and went to pick it up, feeling a surge of disappointment when she realised it wasn’t Prompto, she took a deep breath, “he-hello?”

[sharp_man]

"Liz, it's Doctor Lecter," Hannibal said in his most soothing voice. "I got your message. I thought you might want to talk."

[flamesburned]

“I … “ Liz started to say and then realised she didn’t know what she wanted to say, “I …I don’t know what to do …I didn’t think …I said I wouldn’t …I …” it all came out in a panicked rush before she could stop herself and then she let out a sob, “I made a mess of everything,”

[sharp_man]

"I very much doubt that," Hannibal said, still soothing. "Take a deep breath. Let it out slowly."

[flamesburned]

Liz tried to do as he said, taking a deep, very shaky breath and letting it out slowly, a few sobs escaping as she did.

[sharp_man]

"There you go," Hannibal said. "Again. Slow and steady."

[flamesburned]

Liz let out another sob and hiccuped but this time when she took a deep breath, it wasn’t as shaky and she was able to slowly breath out without sobbing again.

[sharp_man]

"There you go," Hannibal said approvingly. "Keep breathing. Now, tell me one thing that happened. Think about it, and tell me only one thing, in one sentence."

[flamesburned]

Liz took another deep breath, trying to focus on one thing to talk about.

“I - IthinkI’minlovewithSteven!” it came out in a panicked rush and then took another deep breath, “Grant - “ she clarified, realising there were a few Steven’s who lived in Fandom. “Steven Grant…” she took another deep breath, “I - I think I’m in love with him,”

It terrified her voicing that out loud.

[sharp_man]

"I don't believe I've met him. Do you believe he's worthy of your love?" Hannibal asked.

[flamesburned]

“I …” Liz hesitated and then slowly nodded, “yes, yes he is but I …what about Prompto?”

[sharp_man]

"Do you love Prompto?" Hannibal asked.

[flamesburned]

“Yes,” Liz bit her lip, “I do love Prompto- I still want to be with him but I …I don’t know …” her voice trailed off uncertainly.

[sharp_man]

"Do you want to be with Steven as well," Hannibal asked. "Or are you content with your relationship as it is?"

[flamesburned]

“I …I don’t know,” Liz said quietly, “I … really do love spending time with Steven but I …I don’t know if I want it to be more, I don’t want to hurt him,” there was a pause, “or Prompto,” she addded.

[sharp_man]

"So far you have done neither," Hannibal said. "If you're not certain if you want more, perhaps you should take some time, consider if what you are feeling is romantic or platonic love. Decide what you would like to do in an ideal world."

[flamesburned]

“What…what if it is romantic love?” Liz hesitated, “what do I do then? I …I can’t reach Prompto to talk to him,”

[sharp_man]

"Then you must make decisions," Hannibal said. "The first will be if you wish to make any decisions when you can't speak to Prompto, or how long you are willing to wait to hear from him. One step at a time."

[flamesburned]

“I …I don’t know about either one,”Liz said softly, “everything …just feels out of control,” she admitted, “I thought …I’d be with him by now, I feel like I’m being unfaithful to him, even though nothing’s happened with Steven,”

[sharp_man]

"And yet you said you aren't certain if you even want anything to happen with Steven," Hannibal pointed out. "You can't control who you fall in love with, only what you do with it. The first step is to decide what you want to happen."

[flamesburned]

Liz bit her lip, “what if I make things worse?” she said, “I …I’m …nothing is making any sense…I should be happy with how things are, to wait for Prompto but I …I feel so lost,”

[sharp_man]

"What if you make things better?" Hannibal pointed out. "You won't know until it happens. For now the important thing is to decide what you want to do. If you're uncertain, then perhaps weigh the good and bad outcomes of each potential decision. And don't forget to breathe. Everything is more overwhelming if you don't breathe."

[flamesburned]

Liz nodded, "o..okay I'll try and do that," she said softly, "everything just feels so confusing right now, I'm ... I'm going to be going home later this week, to try and sort through things as well,"

[sharp_man]

"That sounds like an excellent idea," Hannibal said. "Remove yourself from your current location, surround yourself with friends. And bring my number so you will have it if you need it, yes?"

[flamesburned]

“I will,” Liz promised, “I …I will make sure I call if I need help, if things get worse,”

[sharp_man]

"They don't have to get worse for you to want another perspective," Hannibal pointed out. "And your medications - you have enough to last until you return?"

[flamesburned]

Liz nodded, “okay … “ she said quietly, “um … I’ll … I’ll check in more frequently when I’m there,” she said, “I … maybe another script, in case …” I don’t come back she was about to say but she changed her mind at the last minute, “I mean, just in case.” she amended

[sharp_man]

"Just in case," Hannibal agreed. "I'll write you another to bring with you. You can pick it up whenever you like."

[flamesburned]

"Okay, I'm leaving Friday morning, so I'll pick it up sometime before then," Liz promised.

[sharp_man]

"I'll have it ready," Hannibal promised. "And I wish you all the best."