The surmounting stress of your situation was becoming too much to handle. There was a storm of emotions running rampant within that you were desperate to suppress. You felt that there were greater concerns. Your party couldn’t afford for you to crumble. You needed to be strong. For them. For everyone.

This internal struggle was becoming apparent to the Gale. You were growing distant with the party. Your usual quips replaced by silence. The smile that once brightened your face with warmth was now barely a curl of the lips. Exhaustion etched your face with cruel lines while stifled pain made a home within your eyes. The wall you had built was cracking. You were going to break.

Unable to brush aside his concern, Gale comes to you after everyone else had settled for the evening. He finds a place at your side as you sit and gaze into the flickering campfire. The tones of his voice are soothing as he begins an anecdotal monologue about the importance of caring for oneself. He gently places a hand on your arm as he looks at you with concern.

“You’re allowed to fall apart a little.”