This is worse than embarrassing. This is annoying! Now that Maat had admitted to his survivor’s guilt, Bali was determined to help Maat overcome it. At the moment, Bali confined himself to offhand comments about how much Maat was contributing to the rebuilding effort. Maat had no illusions that this would be the end of it. Eventually, Bali would want Maat to talk to someone, probably Thask Rea.

And talking is going to do precisely what? Oh, he knew the theory—talking about trauma was supposed to help you face your guilt and show you how unrealistic the expectations you had for yourself were. But I know my expectations are unrealistic. I have faced my guilt, and I know precisely why I feel guilty. Talking will accomplish nothing. How am I going to convince Bali of that?

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