"Well for one thing, if it helps, part of why you're not like me, is because no one is. In a place like this, most of us are wildly radically different from each other. Even those of us from the same world, or who seem to be from the same world. Take me and Lea and Xion as an example. We seem to be from the same world, we all look like we're the same species. But we're not. Xion's story I won't get into, I don't know this version of her well enough to know what she'd be willing to share. Lea would be the best one to ask, because if you ask Xion... you might be years getting an answer," she said with a small chuckle. "From what little I've seen and from what Lea's said, this may be the most timid and shy Xion I've met so far. As for Lea, he's generally not shy about talking about his past, since asking gives him a chance to vent, and he is still carrying a lot of justified anger. And as for me...?" She gave Mallia a little squeeze. "I'm not even from their reality. Everything about me is different while also looking and seeming the same. Something you seem to know something about..." she said warmly.
"As for that feeling of should be doing something... I feel the same way. I always have. I suspect I always will. It gets into your bones, after a while. I don't think I'd know how to take a vacation now, even if all the problems of all realities were suddenly solved at once. Thankfully, or perhaps not, there will always be someplace I'm needed, somewhere I should be. And even times like now, where I'm stuck here... I still feel that pull. So I use it to push myself to improve. When I need to wait for others for a task and I want to just start, I think of ways I can work towards doing my part better. If it is a relay race, for example, I can't run until I have the baton. But I can stretch, I can study the other runners, I can keep alert and aware, I can make sure my shoes aren't going to fall off, keep drying my hand so I don't drop the baton."
"Here... There is nothing stopping us from pressing forward as individuals but our own limits, and sometimes well meaning friends. But since we seem to have the best results working together, that leaves people like you, and like me, who are chomping at the bit to... well.. wait. But there are things we can do while we wait that will ultimately help."
"Self care is one of those things. Especially for you, given how much of our food you provide. I don't think we would have gotten as much done as we have given another month if we didn't have the food and ethers you provided. Every single day here you've been doing something for us all. Beyond self care in the most common usage comes training. Finding what you do best and finding ways to do it better. Finding what you do worst and improve it. Finding what you enjoy doing most and find new ways for it to bring joy."
"And failing that?" she said, kissing her lightly on the top of the head. "Learn a new skill that you think might be useful. Since you use your magics a lot, maybe learn more ways to create things without it. Or learn some form of one of the arts you've never tried before. Or just talk to people. The people from the Isle aren't used to what life is here in Auradon yet. Come on in and help them adjust. Or just brighten their day with stories and your wonderful personality," she added with a smile.
"But know that you have already done far more than could have been expected, and you do a lot... just by letting us be near you. You lift spirits of those you talk to, you know. Friendship with you is good for our Hearts."
Now in its proper place (I hope)
"As for that feeling of should be doing something... I feel the same way. I always have. I suspect I always will. It gets into your bones, after a while. I don't think I'd know how to take a vacation now, even if all the problems of all realities were suddenly solved at once. Thankfully, or perhaps not, there will always be someplace I'm needed, somewhere I should be. And even times like now, where I'm stuck here... I still feel that pull. So I use it to push myself to improve. When I need to wait for others for a task and I want to just start, I think of ways I can work towards doing my part better. If it is a relay race, for example, I can't run until I have the baton. But I can stretch, I can study the other runners, I can keep alert and aware, I can make sure my shoes aren't going to fall off, keep drying my hand so I don't drop the baton."
"Here... There is nothing stopping us from pressing forward as individuals but our own limits, and sometimes well meaning friends. But since we seem to have the best results working together, that leaves people like you, and like me, who are chomping at the bit to... well.. wait. But there are things we can do while we wait that will ultimately help."
"Self care is one of those things. Especially for you, given how much of our food you provide. I don't think we would have gotten as much done as we have given another month if we didn't have the food and ethers you provided. Every single day here you've been doing something for us all. Beyond self care in the most common usage comes training. Finding what you do best and finding ways to do it better. Finding what you do worst and improve it. Finding what you enjoy doing most and find new ways for it to bring joy."
"And failing that?" she said, kissing her lightly on the top of the head. "Learn a new skill that you think might be useful. Since you use your magics a lot, maybe learn more ways to create things without it. Or learn some form of one of the arts you've never tried before. Or just talk to people. The people from the Isle aren't used to what life is here in Auradon yet. Come on in and help them adjust. Or just brighten their day with stories and your wonderful personality," she added with a smile.
"But know that you have already done far more than could have been expected, and you do a lot... just by letting us be near you. You lift spirits of those you talk to, you know. Friendship with you is good for our Hearts."