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One April morning, Kelsey woke up. The sun wasn't even up because she'd always been an early riser. However, she was eager to go to the park across the street as she did when the weather was warm. However, this time she desired company instead of being alone with her thoughts. So she quickly did her morning routine, and just as the sun rose, she used some of the portal potion.
Surprisingly the individual she'd summoned wasn't Akiko. Instead, Kelsey had summoned Iroh's wife, Kimana. Kimana was still quite beautiful for someone in her early sixties, given she still looked three decades younger. Kimana was also dressed in the modern outfit Kelsey had designed for her when she wrote her modern-day AU Avatar High stories. The beautiful Fire Nation woman wore a white straw hat with flowers. Her top was magenta with a purple flower with the reverse for her skirt, and she wore pretty purple sandals.
Again, it took a few moments for the confusion to wear off. "Kelsey! Why have you summoned me?" Kimana questioned kindly.
"I'm heading to the park across the street and want to talk to someone about some of my issues. But, unfortunately, I've never really connected with my therapist, and I've felt for months that my mental health team hasn't listened to me," the storyteller explained.
"Well, whenever you've summoned us, we never leave your apartment. But I do love the fresh air."
"Me too. I'm always happier when its warmer out," she grabbed her backpack before saying, "We've got to be quiet and go out the back door. I know a few CCTV cameras exist, but I don't think anyone watches them. Since they didn't catch me being threatened or how a strange man entered my apartment years ago. Still, we need to be quiet. So let's go!"
The pair quietly left the apartment, going down the stairs that led to the back door. Getting to the park across the street took a little bit of time. Kelsey offered Kimana a drink and a snack bar. Then she popped open her drink as the pair began talking in the fresh air in the low sunlight.
Kimana first asked what exactly was on Kelsey's mind. Then, taking a deep breath, the storyteller informed the beautiful woman she didn't know how to tell an old neighbor that she was physically incapable of doing the strenuous walking she wanted. Two days ago, she nearly killed herself trying to walk a mile around the local lake and further explained how her body ached so severely yesterday while feeling extremely tired.
She also couldn't help but feel invalidated by everyone else telling her she had to do this. That it would get better if she kept at it. Kelsey pointed out that because she'd walked on her toes all her life, she had ruined the tendons in her ankles. Furthermore, being overly well endowed already caused her enough back problems. Her back hurt so much just doing chores around the house!
So no, it didn't matter if she kept at it. It would only lead to her being in excruciating pain and feeling sick. She also added she was sick of people telling her that she was limiting herself instead of accepting she knew her limits.
"I think that's quite frustrating when trying to advocate for yourself. And everyone pushing their opinions on you instead of listening. People need to accept that only individual knows their limits.
Moreover, one shouldn't force someone else to do something they clearly can't or don't want to do. It's one thing to encourage someone. It's entirely another thing to impose your will onto another without listening to them," Kimana agreed.
"Thanks for listening and understanding my POV, Kimana. I truly appreciate having someone to support me instead of not listening to me."
"Well, as my husband Iroh would say. You accomplish much more by listening to a person then just hearing them speak. You need to understand what they're saying and feeling. Not simply hear their words but genuinely listen to what they're saying. Is there anything else on your mind you wish to talk about?"
"I still feel incredibly frustrated that they only way I can have a conversation about what I want to talk about is to write a story about it. So that's why I've written my Coffee Klatch series and have started my Book Club series.
Again, I need someone to talk to. I want a conversation that is more then just saying simple things like. "I think its a great story or very cool." What I desire, Kimana, is a REAL conversation. I want an in-depth and intelligent discussion. Discuss things in more detail, not just in simple sentences but thought-provoking ways.
I wonder if I'm asking too much. But I have never been able to have the type of conversation I want. Not with my online friends, and my twin and I butt heads too much."
"From what I understand of this world, thanks to technology, people have genuinely forgotten what it means to socialize or have a meaningful conversation. Of course, there is nothing wrong with wanting to have the type of conversation you desire. However, it's a shame you can't have it because you don't know anyone who can talk on the same level. And for that, I feel sorry for you."
"Again, your love and support are genuinely what I need now. I also still have trouble in general with communication. My online friends honestly can't see things from my POV. I'm not trying to make excuses or be a pessimist. But unless you've truly lived someone's life or seen with your own eyes what their circumstances are? You'll never be able to understand."
"Why do you think no one understands? Or feel everyone thinks you're making excuses?" Kimana asked curiously.
"Because they've said as much. No one seems to get I live in a small boring town. They don't get we don't have any form of transportation or anything fun to do. They based their viewpoint on their own lives.
So it's utterly foreign to them to try to picture my life. They never understand what its like to have nothing but time on your hands. They can't grasp how small my apartment is. Finally, they still can't imagine my town is boring and small."
"I'm assuming the same goes for you? That because you can't relate to them having functional families, jobs, and living in larger areas?"
"Yes, it's a struggle from both sides since you can only see it through your own experiences. But I'm not trying to make excuses or be a pessimist, Kimana. I'm simply being honest about what my life is like and my own reality."
"Well, again, I feel for you, Kelsey. Should we head back inside? You'll need to send me back before more people get up."
"Sure, I'll go send you home. But thank you again for listening, Kimana. It means the world to me."
"You're very welcome, Kelsey," the pair hugged. Then, they quietly went through the backdoor again, and Kelsey quickly sent her back. She gave a huge sigh and tried to figure out what she would do for the day the rest of the day.