Bernadetta & Jeritza A

Jeritza
Lately, I've noticed that our lunch times seem to coincide with one another's, and I—

Bernadetta
Oh no! Am I bothering you? I am, aren't I? I knew you were getting too carried away, Bernie!

Bernadetta
I mean, it's no wonder you don't wanna have lunch with me anymore. Just having me around probably makes your food taste awful...

Jeritza
My food tastes the same as it always does. I was merely stating a fact about our lunches coinciding.

Bernadetta
Oh...

Jeritza
But I am curious as to why you want to eat with me. It isn't that you—

Bernadetta
Aaah! Please forgive me!

Bernadetta
I am so sorry I've been using you to avoid people!

Bernadetta
The truth is, hardly anyone ever comes near us, and it's been such a relief!

Jeritza
That's it? Well, then. I don't mind.

Bernadetta
Huh? You...don't?

Jeritza
When last we spoke, you mentioned feeling a kinship to me...

Jeritza
So I wondered if you were thinking that we may be... kindred spirits, of a sort.

Bernadetta
Oh? Uh... Hmm... I...

Bernadetta
I mean, of course not, Jeritza! I didn't mean anything like that at all! Ha! Kindred spirits?! Us?! Ha...ha... Haaa...

Bernadetta
But I mean... Totally hypothetical here, but, uh... If I did think we were kindred spirits, would...uh... there be a problem with that?

Jeritza
Yes. There would. The reason I dislike people...is because if I don't keep my distance, it is only a matter of time before I kill them.

Jeritza
If you continue spending time near me, death may find its way to you.

Bernadetta
Uh... Oooh. I see.

Bernadetta
I, uh... I'm not quite sure how to say this, but...I'm willing to take the risk.

Bernadetta
I mean, we're in the middle of a war! I could die at any point now, even tomorrow!

Bernadetta
So if being near you means feeling comfortable during my final hours, well, that sounds like a pretty good deal to me!

Jeritza
...

Bernadetta
I...wasn't entirely honest with you just now, about the whole kindred spirits thingy...

Bernadetta
Want the real truth? I actually think we are. You and I have a whole lot in common.

Bernadetta
We both had a dark, troubling past. We both built walls around ourselves in response to that, to keep people out.

Bernadetta
Me, I take all my past hurts out on myself, but you... Jeritza, you take yours out on the world.

Bernadetta
Maybe that's why you harm people.

Jeritza
Hmm...

Bernadetta
Uh. Uh! Ah! That was really overstepping, wasn't it? I'm sorry!

Jeritza
...