less than three months. she’s been back less than a whole season —— that’s early, that’s FAR too early to be thrown right back into the hungry jaws of the money-making beast. isn’t it ? it FEELS to early. perhaps she’s shrinking back to a baby, frightened by the world, how big and blinding and loud it can get. so when jet speaks it’s not a woman that receives his words but a little girl, sinking in her jair, coiled up as if trying to make herself unseen —— akin to a pillow, harmless and INVISIBLE. “ can’t you go on your own ? i’ll pay you. ” big-eyed, pleading : perhaps taking advantage, just a little, of the unspoken loyalty that comes with friendship. thing is, it’s not the crowd itself that terrifies her. it’s the QUESTIONS, first and foremost, and the familiar faces a close second —— and sure, yeah, events like this mostly mean RICH PEOPLE FOOD and BOOZE. but is it worth it, really ? wouldn’t it be better to stretch a loose pair of pajamas, dig into a book, or a tub of ice cream, or anything, anything — anything other than that ? “ jet, please ”. she sits up straight here, as if that will give her more authority. “ nobody will care if we just DON’T go. we could watch a movie. we could play mario kart —— we could do ANYTHING, just don’t make me go. ”