Redhawk Caldera slipping and sliding

Eljay had hoped to change the subject, and while he succeeded, it was clear that he had opened up a wound in the process. Not used to being so rash, but used to being socially awkward, Eljay frowned and looked apologetic. It had to be awful to be unable to do something that you enjoyed so very much.

Oh no, said Eljay sympathetically. You don't have to talk about it if you don't want to, but what caused it? After another short moment of silence he added, That's really awful, to lose something that means so much to you. I usually stay within the Caldera, but just because I -- am too much of a coward. -- I like it here. It's home. It feels safe. He wasn't sure why he shared. Maybe because he hoped that she would see that it didn't have to be the worst thing, or a shameful thing at all. That there were others who were that way, even though of course it was less bad for him because he had chosen for it to be that way and she hadn't. Or perhaps so that she knew she'd have at least one friend here.