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> They're shy, terrified of talking to others about how they feel, and still suffering, mentally, from all they endured from the polity they were rescued from. The therapist, suggests writing out their feelings instead, since talking about it is so difficult for them. When they admit they are unable to read or write, They are given a diary, a few pencils, and a lesson book, and introduced to another who'd been rescued from that polity, who was willing to teach. -- Lessons

Like most rescued from Greater Deregulation Middle Northwest, they were quiet. If they spoke at all, it was all whispers and the occasional mumble. If clarity was necessary, they had a customised soundboard. Coming out of their shell was a slow and troublesome journey.

Therapist Rune was soft-spoken, purposely cute, and patiently friendly. "If you don't feel like talking, you could start a journal," they soothed. "Write your feelings down?"

"...can't read," said Refugee Bug. Moving to their soundboard, they made it say, "Machine. Read. No. Write."

"That's okay," soothed Rune. "You can learn any time. I know some people who could help you."

"No. Loud. Person," said Bug through their soundboard.

"Of course not. Ze's a lot like you. A lot more than you might expect, actually. Would you like to meet hir? Ze has hir appointment just after yours."

Bug made their soundboard say, "Meat. Person. Frighten."

"It's easy to be scared of new situations," said Rune. "I hope you've come to trust me enough to know that I'd never do anything to hurt you. Just like you know I always give you a choice. You can leave by the private exit, or you can go back out through the waiting room and meet someone."

Rune would be with them the entire time. That was a promise Rune kept, always.

So Bug pointed to the way they came in. To go and meet someone new.

Hir name was Cree, and ze also preferred to talk through a device. It felt safer than actually speaking. Cree had spent more than hir fair share of time surviving in Greater Deregulation Middle Northwest. Ze _knew_ what it was like down there.

Cree was braver than Bug, so far. "It's hard, but it's worth it," ze said. "You can say more things better to start with."

That was motivation, and a good beginning.

[Photo by <a href="https://unsplash.com/@simplicity?utm_content=creditCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=unsplash">Marija Zaric</a> on <a href="https://unsplash.com/photos/a-red-and-white-sign-bohnDY9w__I?utm_content=creditCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=unsplash">Unsplash</a>]

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