About a year or so after we had first met, I decided to ask Aster some pressing questions. We met at our spot, like we'd been doing.
"Aster, why do you keep talking with me and trying to be my 'friend?' Humans and half-elves aren't friends."
"How many times do I have to tell you that it doesn't matter to me what race you are? …Anyway, why would I stop being your friend? You were in trouble, and I don't like watching people kick the dog. I feel that, even if I can help just one person, I've made a difference."
"Oh… so you're one of those idealists." My mind snapped back to something else he said. "Wait… DOG?"
Aster realized his poor word choice. "Oh, sorry! I-I wasn't calling you a dog… although you kind of bark and growl like one when you're mad. Like now! Bark bark, Richter!"
"Aster… I'm not mad at you."
"Really? You sounded like you were going to bite my head off there for a moment. In fact, you sound like you're going to bite my head off a lot of the time. Are you just naturally that grumpy?"
"You didn't figure that out yet?" There was only a little sarcasm in that statement.
"I'm sorry… why did you ask that question, Richter?"
"There's no reason for you to stay around me. You helped me out and now you can leave. That's all I'm worth, anyway. Especially if you think I'm 'naturally grumpy.'" If he was going to betray me like the others, the time to find out was now.
Aster, as usual, had other ideas. "Don't say that, Richter! The only thing I can't stand more than people putting each other down is people putting themselves down. Besides, no matter what you think… you're not a bad person. Not even if you're a half-elf, and you know I think that doesn't have anything to do with it. Not even if you're a little short with people."
The mention of that dog would be etched into my mind, even though it seemed insignificant at the time. His words flew right over my head. "I guess I am kind of a dog, though. When I get into trouble, I don't stand up for myself. I just stand there and take the beating, and then whimper and whine as I leave. Besides-"
"STOP THAT!" Aster could go from fooling around to serious at the drop of a hat. "Did you hear me? Don't put yourself down. You need to understand that you are not a bad person for any reason. You haven't done anything wrong, no matter what those people say. Seriously, have you taken a good look at the others?" I told him that I hadn't. "They're all a bunch of phonies. The kids just want me to do their homework for them, and the adults don't listen much because they think I'm just a kid. But you've been a good listener when I'm the one venting to you, Richter. Don't forget that I need a friend too. I'm there for you, and you're there for me. Isn't that how it's supposed to be?"
Aster knew how to flatter me, that's for sure. "I guess so. But… you're still an idealist."
"And what's wrong with that?"
"I don't know. It's just... unusual."
"And what's wrong with that?"
"You don't need to repeat yourself. It's just different. What are you trying to say?"
"That's it! It's different and there's nothing inherently wrong with it. That's the way I want people to think instead of making a big deal over nothing." We stared at each other silently. "Why haven't you told me about how you felt sooner?"
"I have trouble putting how I feel into words. I think emotions become cheaper once they're reduced to words."
"Just remember: Courage is the magic that turns dreams into reality. Stand up to people that are trying to push you back down. Don't ever be afraid to tell me what's on your mind. You don't need to change yourself just because others think you're 'weird.' Not even your barking habit."
"Has anyone told you you've got a few screws loose, Aster?"
"Bark bark, Richter. But how do you really feel? You can always tell me, as long as I can always tell you."
