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Post by Smiler on Oct 27, 2007 22:58:15 GMT -5
"Thank you," Michael said. He was grateful for her understanding, though, as always, it didn't reflect in his features, but at least she would be able to pick up on it, unlike most other people.
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Post by deb on Oct 27, 2007 22:59:34 GMT -5
She wondered why he didn't smile much when his feelings contradicted his lack of facial expressions. "You're welcome." she responded, still smiling, in a way hoping he would smile back.
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Post by Smiler on Oct 27, 2007 23:03:02 GMT -5
Michael caught her hope for his response at her display of emotions and met her eyes. "I'm sorry," he said, "I know this looks weird. I can't afford getting too emotional, so I try to suppress at least the facial expressions whenever I can."
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Post by deb on Oct 27, 2007 23:05:26 GMT -5
Mischief frowned slightly, "But, what's so wrong with showing how you feel?"
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Post by Smiler on Oct 27, 2007 23:13:07 GMT -5
"It's all interconnected," Michael replied. "You smile when you feel good. But even if you don't feel good, you can start smiling or even laughing and soon your mood will catch up, adjusting to the way you fake its expression. It works with almost any emotion. And since I can't afford getting too emotions, I prefer not to trigger any that way, not to emphasize them." He was hoping it gave a more or less clear picture of things.
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Post by deb on Oct 27, 2007 23:14:33 GMT -5
Mischief nodded, "Oh." she said, softly, "I never saw it like that. So once you get better control of your power do you think you'd be able to smile?"
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Post by Smiler on Oct 27, 2007 23:17:45 GMT -5
"No," Michael said, "it's not related to my powers. I have a heart condition - can't allow my level of adrenaline or heartbeat rate get high."
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Post by deb on Oct 27, 2007 23:22:51 GMT -5
"Oh my god, that's horrible." she said, her frown deepening. She didn't know what else to say and looked down at her hands that were folded neatly in her lap.
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Post by Smiler on Oct 27, 2007 23:26:18 GMT -5
"That's one way of looking at it," Michael agreed, "but it just takes some adapting, and then it's no big deal. I've passed my adaptation stage in childhood, so now I'm completely okay with all this. Thank you for your concern, though," he was sincere about it.
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Post by deb on Oct 27, 2007 23:28:05 GMT -5
She gave a lopsided smile, "It's what I do." she said, passing off her worrying like it was nothing.
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Post by Smiler on Oct 27, 2007 23:30:27 GMT -5
"And it's a good thing, too," Michael replied. "Empaths are meant to empathize. I would, too, if I could."
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Post by deb on Oct 27, 2007 23:33:49 GMT -5
Mischief nodded in agreement, "It can be hard, though, but in some ways it helps you relate to the person."
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Post by Smiler on Oct 27, 2007 23:36:02 GMT -5
"I believe it does," Michael said. He paused, thinking. "Do you think the ability to read people's emotions is a good or a bad thing?"
(( I guess I'll be off. good [rest of the] night ))
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Post by deb on Oct 27, 2007 23:39:42 GMT -5
"It's a bit of both. I can understand that people don't want you to know something that they want to keep a secret and that it makes them feel vulnerable, but on the other hand, like I said. It can help you relate to them if they can't really express how they feel." she said, turning to face him more.
[Ok, you too! Well, more like morning over there]
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Post by Smiler on Oct 29, 2007 3:03:56 GMT -5
"The trick is to convince them we mean no harm," Michael said, nodding again; most things she said were true in his experience, also, and he was already close to regretting not having sought another empath earlier - it would have helped him a lot, but regret was a tad too strong emotion for him to feel.
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