I think Offal is genuinely concerned here. Along with the main storyline (poor Clover!) there’s a possible second here.
People who have true, but unexpected, moments of selfless care are generally at a crossroads of sorts. If they get treated in derogatory ways (because they’re scum, after all, and MUST be faking it etc) they frequently learn fast NOT to allow that caring. On the other hand, IF time and energy can be spared for them, treating them as having genuine feelings of caring etc can help that part of them grow and take stronger root. They will not stop being OVERALL scrum in a month or anything, but it’s a positive dimension to who they are that can grow. And, if they are just given neutral or no responses to evidence of caring, pretty much ANYRHING is possible. I wonder if, or how, Georgia will present this? She’s SUCH a talented, deep storyteller!
(Visual aide, sorta: A garden overrun by ugly invasive weeds, and in the middle a beautiful native flower appears from nowhere. The plant of the flower can fruit, and is needed by the area life. The fruit is tasty, but the plant will have to be another 5-10 yrs older to produce it. Does one stomp it, ignore it, or help and nurture it?)
Ok. Climbing off my “social philosopher’s soapbox” now. ;-)
I think Offal is genuinely concerned here. Along with the main storyline (poor Clover!) there’s a possible second here.
People who have true, but unexpected, moments of selfless care are generally at a crossroads of sorts. If they get treated in derogatory ways (because they’re scum, after all, and MUST be faking it etc) they frequently learn fast NOT to allow that caring. On the other hand, IF time and energy can be spared for them, treating them as having genuine feelings of caring etc can help that part of them grow and take stronger root. They will not stop being OVERALL scrum in a month or anything, but it’s a positive dimension to who they are that can grow. And, if they are just given neutral or no responses to evidence of caring, pretty much ANYRHING is possible. I wonder if, or how, Georgia will present this? She’s SUCH a talented, deep storyteller!
(Visual aide, sorta: A garden overrun by ugly invasive weeds, and in the middle a beautiful native flower appears from nowhere. The plant of the flower can fruit, and is needed by the area life. The fruit is tasty, but the plant will have to be another 5-10 yrs older to produce it. Does one stomp it, ignore it, or help and nurture it?)
Ok. Climbing off my “social philosopher’s soapbox” now. ;-)
-KOKO