"Sooooo self-esteem issues? It's literally just... The ugly parts. Standing over there. Libby used to be this giant hairball thin--" Libby shifts in place. "Well less-defined. Shut up." Libby shrugs. "Sooooo. Yeah. That hit the point? You feeling bad lately?"

"I mean, it's right, but it's not just a thing I've been feeling lately. It is literally... factual. It's just factual in the most annoying, horrible way."

"And that's exactly what it is. Some annoying, horrible, part of you. Everybody has some self-doubt piece and it so happens that's the part of you over there."

Cynthia spares a glance towards Libby, who looks back, and you feel as if a thousand little thoughts passed between them before they look back at their respective Thea.

"I happen to be a creepy person. Say hi to Libby."

Thea looks at Cynthia and Libby a bit witheringly. "It's not self-doubt, it's literally the truth. Like, I'm not just saying 'oh, boohoo, I'm not sure I'm good enough', I'm literally not good enough to solve the problems. I can't even get that stupid thing to stop."

The Shadow squints a bit at that comment, then says, "Oh well, I guess you must be worthless."

"So you think what your other self is saying, is the truth as to what you believe. Uh huh. Still, it'll still be harder to make it shut up until I make it."

"Name me a problem that can't be solved. Either I'll solve it, or I'll help you solve it." Cynthia turns to Shadow-Thea, "And you stay quiet for just a minute. Ruminate on what I just said for you both."

Cynthia turns back to Real-Thea, letting her hair sweep in front of her face, making her a little harder to judge.

"How about society as a whole? The fact that everyone is a dick for no apparent reason, and everything is horribly broken? Or should we pick an easier one?"

Apparently Thea's not in a great mood.

Understandable. "You just put seven-billion people against us. Start somewhere smaller. Preferably something you can put right in front of us. Something you can see change so no part of you can deny it."

"If any of my problems were that easy to fix, I would've fixed them already."

Even though Cynthia remains as she is, Libby seems to tense up, a weird dipstick for Cynthia's increasing frustration.

"Society is too big. Friends you won't believe me on when I say I think we're friends already. That leaves family. Do I take a look through your house, trying to find out what you think is wrong? Do I listen to the Shadow? Or do I need to check the school records tomorrow night, get a list of all the people you hang out with? Your grades?"

"You have a huge resource sitting here. If you won't direct me, I'll try on my own. I might not be that smart, but I feel obligated already. Please work with me."

"Ugh, I'm sorry—"

"But are you? Are you really?"

"She said to shut up!"

Thea runs a hand through her hair, then continues, "My parents divorced. My mom was working too much to take care of a baby, and they disagreed over... things. Dad's sad, but thought it was for the best, and Mom was too busy being some corporate exec to dispute it. That's not something I can fix."

A moments pause. Libby relaxes. Cynthia fixes her hair a little, to pass a few seconds.

"Say that last line again."

"It's not something I can fix? I already know that, but it's still a problem."

"Say it again."

She rolls her eyes. "It's still a problem."

"That it is," inputs the Shadow, helpful as always.

Cynthia giggles. Her Shadow is being much more helpful then it thinks.

"So, what's the problem? You say there's a problem, and you can't fix it. What problem?"

"My parents divorcing and being unhappy over it? ... What are you getting at?"

All smiles. "So, your mother decided to divorce. The thing that happens when two people are unhappy with staying together. Apparently happened before you were even able to walk. So, you say it again, make your dad happy, or if the problem is you being unhappy with it, we can go have a visit with your mother. Or father. Talk about it."

"Or I could myself."

"Or ya know, sledgehammer therapy."

"Or... You already realize you happen to be standing over there? You can go listen to yourself, or make peace, try to get yourself a Libby..."

"I just lost what I was getting at I think. Any of that sound good?"

"Well, sure, it'd be nice if I could get myself a Libby, but she doesn't look particularly willing, does she?"

"Oh, I don't know about that. I'm perfectly willing!"

... Maybe perfectly willing to stab her, but still. 'Willing.'

"I still suck at philosophy. You realize that's you and all. More or less important, but still you... It's your decision? I hope somewhere there is atleast the thought of 'I can do this and then work on other stuff'. I mean... Shadows aren't supposed to show up again? I guess I failed to deal with it yesterday. Sorry."

"But she doesn't seem friendly! She attacked me with knives, and she's staring at me like I'm prey!"