A small favor (Sentinel)

The android nodded his head, evidently Naomi would handle the culture shock since he is doing so much. When she realized what the android was saying about Maria...he frowned...yes she was extremely sad. At first the android was unsure of he would be able to persuade her to come out of her room or even get her to eat...fortunately those fears were handled...she was still willing to press on...but she felt betrayed. Maria felt so betrayed and Sentinel felt..terrible.

Upon hearing Naomi attempting to encourage him, he raised his head and smiled at her, "Thank you for the encouragement, I'm sure she will bounce back sooner or later..it will be hard for her until then." The android said with a sigh, but when his friend inquired how he was doing he blinked. "I'...am..more than a bit depressed. I feel like I have crushed her happiness....I feel...terrible." the android said placing a hand to cover his face. He felt like a terrible guardian and person in general...he knew this was normal...but dammit it didn't make him feel any better!

Naomi nodded with a smile, “She’s a smart kid. I’m sure the news was shocking, but…” She reached over the table to try and comfort him, “People, especially children, have really volatile emotions. We can’t conceive of every possibility, so we can’t be prepared for it. It’s that area that we cannot know that gets us every time.” She was trying to think of how to word this so it wasn’t confusing, “She couldn’t conceive of you doing that, so learning it upset her. Yeah, I’m sure that sucks, but it also meant something else. You matter to her. She couldn’t see you doing that but know she has to. It’s shaken her, so it will be upsetting. At the same time, not being able to conceive of that meant she sees you as her guardian and as someone she can trust. Sure, she’s upset now, but that’s probably because she can’t see something else yet. Why you had to do it. Once she can begin to see that, things will get better.” She thought that anyway, “Honestly, I think she’s more hurt that you kept it from her for so long. Children will always trust their guardians blindly until their trust is shaken. I think this may be that moment. Just, give her space and let her work through it, while also still keeping her safe and to her wishes, and it should come back into alignment. In time.” No one was perfect. Their relationship would mend, but it would never be the same. It may get stronger, because now they could be honest no matter what or it could falter. Only the future knew.

The android listened to Naomi, from what she was saying people try to be prepared for the unexpected, and when Sentinel told Maria what she truly could not foresee...she was naturally angry. However, Naomi had a point that it meant that Maria deeply cared about Sentinel, and that essentially with time and space she will eventually come back to the happy child he always knew. "I see....I'll do my best to keep that in mind, and try to give her the space she needs...it will be difficult because I've developed a love of helping her and doing things for her." The android said with another sigh, but then Naomi offered something else to keep his attention.

....what was he supposed to do? Tell her that he shot her father and lit their home on fire to cover up the evidence? "I...maybe you're right about that...but when was I supposed to have told her? She took the loss of her last blood relative really hard, and...I could not let her know the truth so soon either." The android sighed and rubbed the back of his head, "Maybe it's as the saying goes...'Damned if you do, damned if you don't'?" The android said sighing once more, "Thanks for the support though, I just hope that she returns to her happy self sooner rather than later." He was confident that they could get through this, but...it was a long and painful process. Perhaps it was normal for it to take this long.

Naomi smiled at Alphonse saying he had grown to love helping and doing things for her, “You can still do that. You just have to give her space. I’m sure you still need to make food for her. Maybe help her do her homework. The thing that matters is that you need to let her come to you and get back to where she was in her own time.” She didn’t think it would be easy, but there were some things Alphonse could do. She had faith in him.

She shrugged, “I don’t know what you should have done. There probably isn't a right answer. Although, it’s better that you did tell her rather than let her find out on her own. People are hard to understand, especially children. They are still learning to understand the world, so they take time to process everything.” She took a sip of her drinks and slowly picked at her food as she thought of what else to say, “You know, they say that it will take you as long to forget someone as long as you knew them. My guess is, she will be bitter for a few weeks or months, but cool down after that. Sorry. I can't help but tell you that it won’t be easy. Still, she’s probably trying to forgive you. If she wasn’t, her reactions to you would probably be worse.” She shrugged. What else could she say?

The android listened carefully, evidently he should still care for her, and help her with basic things like food and homework. However, as for personality...that was a more difficult topic. Evidently, those wounds would have to heal on their own. "I see..." the android said his face a bit sad, it took a solemn tone and look. He looked back up at her as she shrugged.

Evidently, he was right with his analysis of damned if you do, and damned if you don't. People are hard to understand, he knew that much from experience. "I suppose, I know what you mean, but I suppose you have a point. I'm okay with it not being easy, but...I find it hard to see her just sit on the couch, sad...it's like I've taken the life out of her. I know she will bounce back, but that doesn't make it any easier."

She shrugged, “I know it’s hard, but no one said raising a little girl would be easy, did they? Maybe this is better. It means she’s learning to think for herself. Deciding what is right and wrong, and learning how to react to the situations thrown at her on her own.” She would think for a moment, “Well, do you know what cheers her up? Little things matter. Maybe some extra time to play if she wants. Or little thing, like chocolate or notes of affection. It could mean a lot to her. Although, I wouldn’t be surprised if she starts asking about her parents and more of what happened.” She looked out and slightly away from him. She was only guessing, after all.

The android nodded a bit, as Naomi explained her views on the matter. Maria was learning to think for herself, and Naomi did have a great point. Maria was growing up through this process, and how she was doing well in her development, and the android had to agree with that assessment. Then she offered suggestions to make the transition a bit easier, and for several moments the android debated what she was suggesting. She did have a point...there were things that he could be doing to help Maria recover, even if it was just talking to her about her parents.

"You have a very good point, Naomi." The android said with a soft smile on his face. "Maybe I'll take her out of ice cream, or offer to play more games with her than I normally do." The android said with a smile on his face, before looking at the time, Maria would be home soon, and the android wanted to get there and comfort her as much as possible. "Naomi, I thank you for all the support and advice you have given me. I appreciate it more than you can imagine. However, for now, I must depart and bring Maria her lunch and have some fun with her before helping her do her homework. Maybe if she is lucky...I'll do it for her." The android said getting up from the booth offering Naomi a soft smile, and even a hug if she was willing to accept it. Afterwords, he would wave goodbye and depart, hopefully they would be able to meet again soon!

(EXit)