Sad country hours (Stella/Nat)

"What's with the long face, sugar?"

Living under a household of four undoubtedly meant one ought to possess some degree of skill in recognizing when their housemates were experiencing a poor mood. Now, she wouldn't go proclaiming she knew Stella that well quite yet since she was still fairly new, but the current expression she wore - even from a distance - was a noticeable departure from her typically exuberant aura. For a young woman of her age, perhaps that was common, but it elicited enough of Natasha's worry that she felt she ought to approach the woman and find a solution to bolster her spirits. Shifting into a walking position beside her, she placed a hand atop the woman's head, a motherly smile playing across her warm features.

"Did you want to find a place to eat and sit down and talk about it? Like the first time we met?"

"My time don't cost you nothin', Stel."

Fortunately, there was nothing occupying her time at the moment. Even if there was, she currently considered Stella's mental state to be a more pertinent issue, one that required her whole focus. Gently snaking an arm under her own, Natasha guided the woman through a throng of civilian until they reached the familiar diner where they shared their first meal. Stepping through the door, Natasha requested the same order from that day before finding a seat for both of them to sit down.

"What's got ya lookin' so glum, sugar? Ain't use to ya wearin' no frown."

The absence of family, the common doubt in one's worth as a whole, and adapting to a new environment, were each relatable enough for Natasha to understand her current plight. After all, it wasn't as if she hadn't experienced similar issues herself over the thirty-plus years of her life. Unfamiliar territory would always intimidate anyone, eventually leading them to doubt their overall worth among new faces. That was simply human nature. Through a gentle voice, Natasha offered honest words to give her some perspective.

"Homesickness is somethin' we all experience once at least. I reckon we relate quite a bit in that aspect. Far as usefulness is concerned, I reckon you'll find little use in frettin' over somethin' like that right now. After all, yer' still fairly new here, Stel. Besides, everyone in the Vandenreich has their use. Everyone in this city has their use. It's all a matter of application. Easier said than done, I know, but if it helps... I'm happy to have ya here, sweetheart."

"Darn tootin', pumpkin. Whatever yer feelin' right now is probably what your friend Solo felt when he moved here full-time, I bet."

Offering a nod illustrative of genuine understanding, Natasha wholeheartedly knew what it meant to be humbled by life. As a soldier in the army and now the Vandenreich, she practically lived the experience two times in one lifetime. Of course, she understood that there was likely more to it than simply doubt in one's overall ability - considering the resources she had at hand - but much like her custom in any conversation, Natasha felt it was best to let the woman elaborate at her own pace. A momentary silence followed though that was attributed to Natasha observing the waitress politely walk over, greeting them as she set their respective meals down on the table. Waving her a goodbye, Natasha shifted her hazel gaze back to Stella, softly munching on a french fry.

"Honest opinion, truly? That's a product of youth in general, sugar. I reckon that was a lot of members' reactions upon joinin' the Vandenreich in general, me and Solomon included. There are many Quincy from varyin' backgrounds and different methods of trainin' and whatnot. Some were raised at birth under parents that were closer to madmen than ya know... actual parents who care about their wellbeing. Others are, generic as it might sound rollin' off the tongue, built a little peculiar. All this is to say... Ain't no use in feelin' ashamed about yer capability at the moment. It's all about what ya plan on doin' to reach a similar level to yer peers. Ya catchin' my drift, Stel?"

"Only mistake I'm recognizing here is that ya simply built an unrealistic image of your strength and ability compared to others. Normally, that ain't necessarily a bad thing. In any other place, confidence like that might be justified. In a city full of Quincy like this one, though? Comparin' yourself others is overwhelmin' business."

Natasha didn't think Stella's confidence was any worse than the average quincy. In actuality, she displayed more of excitement at the prospect of improvement than any pridefulness. Furthermore, isolation from the public eye would have likely played a part in her general point of view. Collecting a handful of french fries, she continued to munch away at her french fries. Hazel gaze fixed on Stella, Natasha posed a simple idea for her improvement moving forward, her hazel gaze fixed intently on the woman as she spoke. Simple enough in her eyes, she supposed.

"Personally, I recommend settin' small goals for yourself. Work at a pace that feels right for you. Don't beat yourself up. Start simple address where you can improve and request who can best assist ya. For example, I'm one of the stronger quincy here. And I'm always available for assistance. And we live together. Can't get much better than that, right?"