“But also I don’t think I want to try to track a birthday party’s worth of people having different preferences and experiences from me, right now.”

"We didn't invite anybody, it was just me and Ren and Charlie."

“That’s because you’re an introvert.”

"Guilty."

She nods enthusiastically.

"The jury is unanimous, your honor. He's introverted." 

“That wasn’t a judgment I was making! Just a fact I happened to know.”

She looks thoughtful. "I could see a party being kinda fun like this? If everybody was cool about my backlash, somehow." 

“Well, they would have to be not only not assholes but also actively mindful.”

"I don't think I want to add hosting a party to my responsibilities for the week."

Augh. "Yeah I was just thinking aloud, sorry, I understand it would be a bad idea for multiple reasons." 

She attempts to pet Lucy reassuringly.

“You can throw a backlashed party for yourself later if you want.”

But that wasn't - eh, it doesn't really matter. (Come on, Cara...) 

Snuggle. Change the subject...

"...Hey Lucy, do you still want to read Haru's blog to me?"

"Oh! Sure!"

Eee yay!

She repositions herself so Lucy has a free arm, and absentmindedly pets her hair. 

Mmmmmmmmmmm. 

Lucy gets out her phone and starts reading Yelling About Basic Research. She does not, like, actually raise her voice, but she's pretty good at capturing tone.

eee!

Cara is a delighted and attentive listener. ("Really? We don't know how big portals are???")

"If anybody responded to this post by running out and grabbing a tape measure, it's not public knowledge yet."

"Not just anybody can do it, they don't let random people walk up to portals, it's a security and safety thing and also impedes people getting in and out with victims and loot."

"Well, yes, obviously, but I can't be the only esper who's ever read your blog and noticed how ostentatiously correct you are."

"Maybe somebody measured two portals, got the kind of weird look I get for taking photographs, and stopped."

"That's true, resisting social pressure is a skill and not everyone has it."

Cara nods in agreement. 

"Well, maybe once the week is over, we could look into it? Carrying a measuring tape to dungeons seems straightforward." 

"Maybe I should start a blog that's literally just the portal measurement of every dungeon I go into."

"More of a Twitter."

"Truuuuuuue. People like having weird parasocial relationships with espers, right. What if the blog also included pictures of me in a bikini."